Elneny And Welbeck Steer Arsenal On Course For Lyon
Apr 12th, 2018 by 'holic
The Arsenal made two enforced changes for the second leg of the Europa League in Moscow. As expected Mohamed Elneny replaced Granit Xhaka and Danny Welbeck, rather than Alex Iwobi, got the nod to fill in for the unfortunate Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Not surprisingly CSKA applied the high press from the off and Petr Cech had to be on his toes to beat Musa to an early through ball. The hosts were clearly after the boost of an early strike and tested the Gunners defence in the opening phases of play. As the clock ticked to 17 minutes we finally forced a corner with some typically intricate tippy happy around the box.
There are sports psychologists who would advise managing football matches in fifteen minute chunks and tick off achieving what you want accordingly. The Arsenal first and foremost wanted not to concede so achieving that in the first two mini-matches was a welcome achievement in what was frankly a dour affair.
Alexandre Lacazette lifted the tempo when put through but his shot was deflected behind. Mohamed Elneny lifted a short corner to the far post where Shkodran Mustafi was involved in a hefty clash of heads with Berezutski. Fortunately after treatment both players were fit to continue. CSKA produced a rapid break out in the 33rd minute that ended with a crucial interception by the Arsenal’s last man, so-called ‘lazy’ Mesut Ozil.
A sudden break out of end to end breaks saw Golovin slip over with CSKA threatening that vital opening goal. The Gunners swept down the other end but Aaron Ramsey failed to find Danny Welbeck and Lacazette in the box. The substitution of Vitinho for Dzagoev may have distracted the Arsenal as they tried to adjust. Nababkin’s header drew an instinctive save from Cech down to his right but Chalov reacted fastest to slam the ball over the line.
CSKA 1-0 The Arsenal
Ramsey was temporarily withdrawn to have a cut calf treated and only returned once we were into four added minutes. Next to hit the deck was Jack Wilshere who had his infamous ankle raked by a challenge unseen by the referee, and he eventually hobbled to a position in front of the back four as CSKA produced wave after wave of pressure. Thankfully the whistle gave us the chance to regroup and draw breath for the final three quarters of an hour.
The Arsenal took on a new shape in the opening stages of the second-half with Elneny dropping into the centre of the defence to give us more of a 5-4-1 formation. Wilshere and Welbeck combined on the break and the latter just over-hit the final ball which gave Akinfeev to claim the ball before Ramsey.
It was a brief reprieve. CSKA then unhinged the new formation. Cech parried Golovin’s long-range effort straight to the unmarked Nababkin who slammed his shot into the gaping goal. Now the nerves were really jangling. One more goal would see us out.
CSKA 2-0 The Arsenal
Cech was soon in action again after the restart turning another Golovin effort around the post. In an effort to recover the midfield we returned to the starting formation and Elneny thought he had scored the clincher. Sadly the midfielder had strayed offside before planting a fine header just inside the post. 25 minutes from time after Lacazette blazed a volley high over the bar Calum Chambers was brought on for the struggling Wilshere. The glass ankle had been smote again. From the ensuing corner Koscielny hit a rising volley over the target.
Veteran central defender Ignashevich then had hearts in mouths as he thumped a rasping drive inches wide of the target with Cech well beaten. The smiling Russian supporters told us they were enjoying this and starting to believe. They were cruelly and splendidly finished when Welbeck started and finished a move playing a one-two with Elneny and applying a wonderful lofted finish. 3-5 on aggregate. CSKA now needed two goals to force extra-time. Immediately Lacazette made way for Alex Iwobi.
CSKA 2-1 The Arsenal
The sting had been drawn and although CSKA continued to look to attack they were now making little impression on a defence now featuring three proper centre-halves. The visitors were now getting numbers back and relying on the counter attack to remind the hosts they were still vulnerable at the back.
Iwobi, fed by Ozil, missed a golden opportunity for the equaliser on the night.Ramsey presented Welbeck with another opportunity but Akinfeev made a fine save to preserve his team’s lead on the night. Elneny had other ideas, put the ball on a plate for Ramsey, and a superb chipped finish got us level.
CSKA 2-2 The Arsenal
In creating the goals that effectively sealed the deal Elneny had probably clinched the Gunners man of the match award, although he would probably have been out-pointed by Golovin, a class act in midfield for CSKA in both legs. In reaching the semi-final of a European trophy for the first time in nine years the Gunners had actually done what they needed to do, but oh, that nervy first 75 minutes. What a show of character at the end.
77 Responses to “Elneny And Welbeck Steer Arsenal On Course For Lyon”
Ramsey loves a cup.
Result was much better than the performance. My Weiner was nearly Schnitzeld at 2-0. Lots of excitement here in Salzburg tonight. Wouldn’t mind a return visit. When’s the draw?
Distinct stomach trouble here until the Welbeck wonderstrike. Elneny clearly Motm for me, as Holic says in his report. Jack, Ozil, both centrebacks and Cech poor tonight but we got the job done. We have a European quarter final to look forward to!
I think we’re in for a spanking at the hands of the barcodes though. Let loose the kids!
Sorry, make that a European semi final to look forward to!
Tomorrow morning BtM ??
I think you might find that it’s a semi-final, Countryman ?
I do hope we avoid Athletico, Holic. Fancy our chances against the other two though then anything can happen in the final.
Nothing like the prospect of a semi to stir the cockles.
All about the result tonight. The performance was far from great and our defending at times was shambolic.
Credit to Elneny who is limited in my opinion but did well tonight. Two assists reminds me of a night at Highbury when I watched Zainadine Cygan score a brace.
Two very good finishes made the game safe. Great play from Danny and composure from Rambo settled the tie. I say Rambo, Sky Spirts are reporting that Harry Kane is claiming it.
Looking forward to the draw tomorrow morning. Bring it on.
If we approach the semifinal with the psychological mindset of playing in a quarterfinal game maybe we can make it to the final without realizing what we have done. 😉
Mrs TTG was relieved by the result as apparently I was like a bear with a sore head until Welbeck scored. I thought the team showed character in a hostile environment but Golovin aside CSKA weren’t top-class. We prospered when we tried to take control higher up the pitch and great credit to Welbeck, Ramsey, Ozil and especially Elneny for their hard work and spirit. We can’t play attritionally in games like these but looking at the eight games who can in Europe nowadays.
Salzburg in the semi and Marseille in the final please
Please, Salzburg for the semifinal. At Marseilles, Payet is playing like he did in his wonder season with the Hammers, and Atleti is Atleti (though Costa may have done his hamstring against Sporting).
I have a nasty feeling that Jack is injured and we might never see him in an Arsenal shirt again. Looking at the other games tonight our progress seemed quite smooth in comparison.!
Also worth remembering we got to the Final the last time we played in the second competition- in 2000
Had an awful evening- I couldn’t get my Robbie Savage mute button to work! Good result in the end. I’m hoping that Jack refuses to sign a new contract and leaves. He hasn’t got the legs to cover the pitch these days, not sure he ever has had. Otherwise, I’m pretty optimistic about our future with excellent signings in January and Lacazette last summer- we just need a decent left back and one maybe two decent midfielders. Lots of good youngsters coming through too. It would good to see what Mavrapanos has to offer at centre half.
Reading about that debacle was a lot better than watching it, Guvna.
We got our tactics horribly wrong. Whether that was by design or because we were pushed back by the Russians, I cannot tell. This team needs to be on the front foot because we simply don’t have the personnel nor the defensive organisation to close a game out.
Nonetheless we are through. Anyone but Madrid, please.
I suspect you are right about Jack, TTG. Can we withdraw that offer?
Thanks for the report Guvnor.
Great result. Job done. Not too
bothered who we get in the semis.
Hur hur, Steve said semi and cockles in the same sentence…
Thought we were dead lucky tonight as CSKA never put us under enough pressure at 2-0, but two nice goals and we got there in the end.
There’s a picture on Twitter of Ramsey’s calf. It’s got six staples in it, presumably done when he went off briefly with a bad gash just before half time.
Wow. Hard as nails.
Optimistic view of Mkhi ‘s progress from Wenger tonight. Two more weeks !
Great to hear Rambo’s leg ‘only’ required rivetting together, and not as serious as his stretchered exit forebode. Less happy about Jack’s potentially Arsenal-ending injury, although having spent most of the game on his back appealing to the ref, as has been his wont in recent times, I’m not sure he will be that missed. We certainly perked up in midfield after he was subbed.
Let’s hope we now see more of El Niño after his excellent game today. His two assists and fine defensive performance was better than anything I can remember from Xhaka this season.
But not a single shot on target until Danny’s goal in the 75th minute?
“Rain in the negativity dudes” – Dexter (last drinks)
I think you meant ‘rein in’ Dexter, which is the opposite of the above. 🙂
When Wilshere went down and stayed down after getting the ball in the face, from a HEADER about ten yards away, I couldn’t believe it.
perhaps it was an exhortation
though the encouragement was
scarcely needed 🙂
Good news on the injury front, we
look a better balanced side with
Mkhi playing
20 chris
your so pedantric
relax for gods sake
go outside for a walk
s’what i do
there’s wee lamb’s gambling in the fields here
it’s wonderful
.
speakin of which
mustn’t tarry
.
“ante up , fellas”
cba @23, with what have the wee lambs been gambling – cards, dice or craps; presumably from your statement, they have left evidence thereof?
you need to ask , bath
why their games baaaaccarat of course
ya silly moooooooooooooooooooooo
who
coincidentally are up the back
playing shove ha’penny
Heh ?
On a more sobering note, we have drawn Atletico, home leg first. Big challenge. COYG
well we were never gonna get salzburg were we
baaaa humbug athletico
lambs to the slaughter
for us
insensitive , osaka M
insensitive
.
“yer ok fellas”
“yer ok”
“put yer visors back on”
“let’s play a couple more hooves”
calling me insensitive – the
mint sauce of it. I think I’ll
give you the cold shoulder
cuts. Anyway, let’s give
Athletico the chop over a
couple of braising legs 🙂
Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone over 2 legs??? Fantastic!!! ??
Now you can all show us and justify Arsene, “why” you deserve to be allowed to continue to prepare and coach this talented group of players, beyond the Summer and into next season?! ??
The Europa League “challenge” has finally begun!
UTAAD&AN!
AFCOF!
there’s wee lamb’s gambling in the fields here
Poker?
Or is that delving too deeply?
We drew Athletico Madrid in the semis of Europa, just the draw we didn’t want.
actually just the draw we do want cause it’ll be easier to beat Atletico
in 180 minutes then in 90
Oh come on, you milky fuckers.
Watch this if you have fear in your bones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV_CGpMsEhY
😀
Thinking we should turn the rojiblancos into a jamón serrano in the first leg so they don’t have a chance to run around in (or on) the second.
@36 Which came first, fear or cynicism? 😉
Last night wasn’t great but it was sufficient.
To me, it always appeared like we could up the gears if we really needed to.
This does not excuse the rather lethargic performance but outside the now usual brain freeze in defence, we had the game under wraps.
Atleti in the semis. To be the best you have to beat the best. Cliché, yes, but true.
They are beatable and we shouldn’t harbour any fear concerning their capabilities as long as we do what we know how to.
COYG
Dapper Dan, it sounds like you want us to lose. Try getting behind the team, manager and club. It’s cathartic.
I see the bookmakers have worsened our odds of wining the Europa since the semi-final draw was made. We are now at threes, where we were at twos. Atletico’s have barely shifted from evens. So there is no chance of us going into the game as anything but underdogs. It will be a tough game, but we’ve got to beat Atletico at some point if we are going to win the thing. And, to SteveT’s perpetual refrain, if the right Arsenal turns up we can win it.
TTG
Good news on the under 23’s tonight,
They beat fellow title challengers Swansea 1 nil at the Ems with a 2nd half goal from Charlie Gilmour.
Excellent result given they were backing up for 2nd game in 4 days after beating Villareal in Cup semi on Monday night.
They will play Porto in the final at the Ems in early May.
Depending on Leicester’s result we will either be top or still 2nd on goal diff.
One game left to play away at the Hammers next Friday night.
So that’s 3 out of 3 must wins in a week,with 2 more big games to come to give us a five out of five.
The Ladies play their FA Cup semi final on Sunday against Everton,and Youth team play their Cup semi final 2nd leg against Blackpool on Monday night,and the reward for winning that,will be a final against Chelsea Youth,who have already won the under 18 league title,with us a distant runner up.
All still to play for at all levels of football at the Arse,as we could make it to 4 Cup finals.
Fingers crossed.
Devon Stu,
It’s no secret that I want Wenger to go at the end of the season; but if he’s to stay and finish the final year of his contract, I want him to prove “why” he deserves that final season as the Head-Coach of a talented bunch of players. No more “free-ride” loyalty.
If he does deserve it, he’ll beat Simeone’s Atletico and I’ll celebrate like any fan who’s supported the Arse for nearly 4 decades!
Atletico Madrid are genuine European rivals to us, as they too don’t have a “cash-cow” owner that’s willing to overspend. Arsene Wenger has no excuses for failure now, and he should prep our lads for a right-proper stab at getting to the final in Lyon. QED!
Arsenal FC Only Forever!
I have to disagree with SSY … such is our squad currently that we have a better chance of beating any team in a one-off than in two legs – especially one like Atleti which is in better form than we’ve shown in a while. I’ll be looking for a miracle frankly.
Hey cba, my friend, care to join me in the casino for a spot of gamboling?
My thoughts have turned
to the game at Newcastle
and I think the team should
be similar to the one below
A Goalkeeper
Some Defenders
Whoever’s Fit
Auba
Still a bit vague at the moment
I must admit
Do we have any defenders worthy of the description, Matt?
Auba is a shoe-in, I agree. Possibly because he’s still too new to have sunk to our level. Yet.
Oops, make that ‘shoo-in’ lest cba puts the pedantic boot in.
They’re not that bad Chris 🙂
Certainly seems time to give
Hector and Nacho a break.
And also to play Holding or
Mavropanos. Not sure I’d play
them both together. One of
them with BFG would be fine
with me.
It’s in midfield we seem a bit
short – hopefully Xhaka is better
and plays. Not sure about Aaron’s
leg or playing Elneny again. Maybe
another youngster with Xhaka.
Nelson, Iwobi and Auba could
start too I guess. A chance for
Eddie too I hope. Laca off the
bench, Ozil too.
gamboling chris ?
wi’ my back an’ these feet !
not on your nelly
plus
no peace for me today either on the high stool
wi’ the grand fuckin national
bringing them out in droves
the ostentatiously “once a year” punter
and the entry-level drinker
replacing a hard won atmosphere
with joy and laughter
.
cunts
you being pedantric again , 47 chris ?
we talked about this
oooooh the half ton
fuckin mighty
i feel brand new !
where’s me bookies dockets and wee pen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQXX74z3400
Thanks Clive
I couldn’t get on the site last night but was intending to give you the good news. The boys have done well and what was significant was the return of Smith- Rowe for 60 mins which hopefully suggests he will start on Monday.
Interesting to compare the mentality of the older supporters with the newer ones. I was in discussion with a very unhappy supporter in the week and asked him if he was going on Monday. He thought I was bonkers. ‘ Why do I want to follow a set of lads who will be playing for Stevenage or Crawley Town in a few years.’
I don’t get this mentality especially when a lot of our lads are coveted by Barca , Benfica and so on. I’d support anyone who puts the Arsenal shirt on. I’m looking forward to our game on Monday more than the one on Sunday ! Must be an age thing ( sorry Clive) ?
CBA
Tiger Roll to win
Pleasant Company E/ W
You heard it here first !
Total Recall such as you have
cba seems the one to be on.
But a bit short for me at 10s.
Lord Windermere’s a Gold Cup
winner on 10st something at
33s – my tip 🙂
righty o thunder T
i’m on it
like
alan brazil on a donut
.
.
(sweet merciful mother of god?)
righty o osaka M
i’m on it
like
a fat birds ummm , thong , innit
.
.
(same groans apply)
comedy fuckin masterclass this
watch and learn youngsters
watch and learn
*spins bow tie*
i’ll bid you adieu fellas
tis my usual corner seat for me
cheerio
.
UP THE ARSENAL
or
as dapper dan says
ASLEF & UHT
.
Chavs losing to Soton at
half time – bit lucky to still
have 11 men really for an
Alonso studs up lunge into
the back of Long’s leg.
Still, ”twas only Long.
If it stays like this it will put Stoke further in the do-do. Yippee!
Chavs have gone 2-0 down and
brought Giroud on. I hope it’s
not one of his better days.
Only took him nearly three months, but he’s finally gone and scored.
Bugger he scored 2-1.
Nice header as it goes.
Shit, another two, Saints are doing an Arse. Apologies, this is my fault.
Clearly Southampton want to
go down. At least they’ll take
Hughes with them.
Dapper Dan
I know you’re not a Wenger fan, but I’ve never liked the ” must win game ” approach much perpetuated by the media. It starts in August and continues right through the season. The only ” must win ” games are Cup Finals, and even then football carries on and there’s always another season.
Whatever happens against Athletico, I think it’s really important that we keep AW for the following season. We are right in the middle of a much needed rebuild which started at the end of last season. By the start of this year’s transfer window, AW and his team will have overseen the departures of Sczezny, Debuchy, Gibbs, Gabriel, Mertesacker, Coquelin, the Ox, Sanchez, Walcott, probably Willsher and no doubt one or two others I can’t remember. There are still a few out on loan who will have to be dealt with in the summer. We’ve acquired three top quality forwards in Mkit, Auba, and Laca and have kept hold of the best assister in the country, despite not being in the Champions League. Quite an achievement in my book. This summer the recruitment team and AW will look to bring in some quality midfielders and defenders to add to the promising squad we have already and thus complete the process. The players they want will have been identified already. These plus a crop of very talented youngsters will put us in a very strong position for next season. Sacking AW will totally disrupt this process. As things stand I’m very optimistic about next season but only if we can remain under AW’s leadership.
TTG – I salute you and your
tipping prowess sir.
??
thunder T is GOD
japan man
meh
Well said, Devon Stu. unfortunately a lot of people are too emotional and/or just plain bored by Arsene to see it.
a gentleman never discusses money
but #69
????????????????
yer Rosicky’s in the post
Tiger Roll to win &TTG@53
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2018/apr/14/grand-national-2018-live-aintree
Incontrovertible proof the fix was in?
Suppose not if I had to phrase it as a question…
Good fixin’ anyways m’lud and may you enjoy your winnins, live long and prosper. 😉
say what ye like 8ball
but cos of thunder T’s crooked benevolence
herself can now stop painting fake shoes
on the grandchildren’s feet
.
.
bless you m’lud
Great tipping TTG. I was on four and none got round. >>>>>>>>
Thanks everyone. I’m glad CBA can put bread on the table
Paddy Power has now got a contract out on me!