Gunners Take Advantage Of Ostersunds Early Nervousness
Feb 15th, 2018 by 'holic
Just 200 miles from the Arctic Circle Arsene Wenger chose a strong mix of first team and cup team players to take on Ostersunds in the Europa League. The Gunners started with a flat back four of Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers, Skhodran Mustafi, and Nacho Monreal in front of David Ospina. Ainsley Maitland-Niles finally got a chance in midfield alongside Mohamed Elneny. A trio of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil, and Alex Iwobi were tasked with assisting lone striker Danny Welbeck.
In a balmy minus four degrees at kick-off Mustafi had the locals on their feet when his perfectly timed sliding tackle was adjudged to be a free-kick to the Arsenal. The German had made contact with the ball before Ghoddos tumbled over his sliding legs and it should have been a throw in to the hosts. It was the turn of the Arsenal contingent to warm their hands with applause when Danny Welbeck just missed the target with a ninth minute header.
Three minutes later we missed, momentarily, a chance to take the lead when Ozil’s enthusiasm creating a shooting chance for Mkhitaryan that was blocked behind. The resulting corner ended with the Ostersunds goalkeeper, Keita. parrying an Iwobi shot into the path of our free-scoring left-back. Nacho Monreal needed no second invitation to make the goal net bulge.
Ostersunds 0-1 The Arsenal
With the play being largely compressed in the Ostersunds half of the pitch a second would surely follow? Keita was clearly wasting as much time as possible already. A rare foray over the halfway line ended with a nasty looking challenge by Widgren on Bellerin. That merely upset the Arsenal who edged further ahead in the 24th minute when Papagiannopoulos deflected Mkhitaryan’s tempting cross past his own goalkeeper. Scorer and assister would have made some score in Scrabble.
Ostersunds 0-2 The Arsenal
Finally Ostersunds found some ambition and Ospina was forced to make his first two saves from a Gero header and a Ghoddos volley. These were the first signs that they did pose a genuine threat if they trusted themselves. Ghoddos again drove at the heart of the Arsenal defence and his long-range drive was comfortably smothered by Ospina. Englishman Edwards was next to try his luck from range but the suddenly busy Columbian goalkeeper caught the tame effort easily.
When Maitland-Niles conceded a free-kick just outside the box four minutes before the break Sema smashed the ball straight at a grateful Ospina, and in the following phase of play Ghoddos tried his luck once more but was wide of the mark. The Arsenal had endured some real pressure in the final third of the opening half, and yet nearly had the last say when Mkhitaryan lifted a curling effort just over the crossbar.
Ostersunds boss, Graham Potter, made a couple of changes to his attacking options at half-time but it was the Gunners who once again dominated the early minutes of the second-half. Before the hour was up Ozil took a through ball from Mkhitaryan in his stride and although Keita got his hands to the ball he could not prevent it from rolling over the line.
Ostersunds 0-3 The Arsenal
With eighteen minutes remaining Monreal was wrapped in cotton wool and Sead Kolasinac was sent on to deputise. Both sides seemed to have settled into respectful if unfruitful phases of possession. Seven minutes from time Eddie Nketiah was given a cameo appearance in place of Danny Welbeck. The former United man was clearly rusty tonight so deserves another chance next week to aid his return to match fitness. He will be important for us in this competition in the next six weeks.
The game was petering out but there was a sting in the tail. As the match moved into injury time it took a sudden turn. Teki was adjudged to have been taken down by Hector Bellerin in the box. Ospina capped a fine display by getting down to his right to save Pettersson’s spot kick and secure the three goal advantage at the whistle.
Arsene Wenger was obviously pleased with his team after the match, telling BT Sport…
“We did the job well, controlled the ball against a good side. They beat Hertha Berlin here, 2-2 against Athletic Bilbao, so a quality team, but once we scored the first goal we were in control. Overall we played a serious game, so job done. They looked very nervous and we took advantage of it.”
Next week we will worry about who should or shouldn’t start the second-leg four days before the Carabao Cup Final. After the match it was a pleasure to be asked to debut on this…
71 Responses to “Gunners Take Advantage Of Ostersunds Early Nervousness”
1st maybe?
Yay and can we add 2nd?
Great write up holic old chap, maybe now we can worry about getting a good team formation on a regular basis?
Evening depressed gooner.
I am still very nervous about playing a 4-2-3-1 against City.
Very crisp and balanced report Holic. It was an amazing game which they handed to us in the first third of the game. They were frozen deep in their half ,( frozen literally and metaphorically) absolutely unable to get on the front foot and tgey handed us two goals. It looked then as if we would win by a mile , but they then showed they could play and Ospina had to be one of our best players during the rest of the game. He worries me on crosses but can be a very good shot- stopper and his penalty save preserved our first clean sheet since the Chelsea first leg.
I still think we look naive defensively , we leave too many holes in midfield and we were very square in our passing in the final third. I thought Mkhitaryan and Iwobi did well to move the ball around. Ozil had some good moments and AMN looked promising but we effectively conceded two penalties against a very inexperienced team.We can relax next week, even with our defence we can’t lose by four to this lot.
My team would be
Macey
Nelson Chambers Holding Mavropanos Kolasinac
Elneny AMN
Mkhitaryan Welbeck Iwobi
That should see us through ok
Evening all.
Cheers H. Only seen the highlights. Looked easy enough. Perhaps Nacho the Notcher should play up front instead of Dead Shot Danny?
We should play a 6-5-6 against Citeh and just keep everything crossed.
Whatever happens, it will be Özil’s fault.
Right, back to Kevin Campbell and that ridiculous bow tie.
Job done. The only surprise was seeing Ozil play the full quota. He could have rested him at half-time, but certainly should have hooked him after the third goal went in.
Good stuff Guvna. And well done the team playing in that deep freeze. Job done. Pressure off next Thursday. A similar blend of youth and experience with Danny to get a hat trick.
Thanks for the report Guvnor.
A very professional away
performance, took advantage
when we could and killed it
on the hour.
I’d have hooked Ozil or Mkhi
earlier too – maybe Mkhi was
right as he hasn’t played much
recently at Manure. Good decision
to take Nacho Goal Machine off
though.
@4
Guv, the 4-2-3-1 vs Shitty
worries me too. It’s the 2
in that formation basically.
If it was Petit/Vieira I’d have
concerns at all. If Aaron’s
hammy is dodgy then it will
probably be Xhaka/Jack –
not to denigrate them but
there’s just no comparison
at all in terms of defensive
stability.
Great review, ‘H.
The lads did well to focus on taking their chances and managing the game properly under atrocious conditions on a plastic pitch against a physical and well organized team.
Much has been made of Welbeck not playing well but it would only be fair to remember that Danny has a history of muscle injuries and played on an artificial surface. It would be natural under the circumstances (add a recent return from injury), to be a bit apprehensive.
The Europa is winnable.
Watching Napoli and Dortmund both struggle at home suggests that if we up our game we can go all the way.
It is however dependent on how much the gaffer wants it and his ability to transfer that urgency to his players.
Anyways, job well done. Roll on next Thursday.
UTA
Solid Gunner,
I am not convinced we will beat the likes of Athletico Madrid. A lot depends on the draw, of course. Man Utd got lucky last season as they played St.Etienne, Rostov, Anderlect, Celta Vigo and Ayax on their way to the title. We would have beaten that lot but against the likes of Athletico, Napoli etc., a win is not certain, especially given our defence and away form. Even yesterday we were not convincing against a weak side. However, all to play for.
Well, Napoli are probably out and Dortmund may
struggle but anyway there will be 6 or 7 sides
from the German, Spanish and Italian leagues
in the last 16. Manure got shit lucky as ksn says.
Though I wonder about the strength of Serie A just
now – both Juve and Napoli are in trouble and
they are miles clear at the top.
RB Leipzig and Athletico look to be the main
dangers, although from memory Bilbao have a
good record in the ropey league.
We are 2nd favourites with the bookies.
If I was a truly objective gambling man
20/1 about Leipzig looks a value bet, they
did well to win in Napoli. Course I’m not
objective at all and think we’re nailed on
finalists 🙂
Hope you are right and we feature in the finals of Europa League. That is probably about the only thing which can salvage our season somewhat (that and a win over Citeh in the Carabao Cup).
Course y’all realise that winning the Ropey and qualifying for the CL will guarantee no change of manager next season and may well even prompt an extension.
Sobering thought.
I’m not expecting a change of
manager anyway. Not until the
end of next season.
ksn
It’s easy to understand the pessimism that touches all that concerns the Arsenal at this time.
Having said that, I strongly believe that on our day, we can clean anyone’s clock.
All that is missing is the hunger and belief.
We can win the Europa League and beat any team handsomely while doing so.
UTA
I hope I’m right too ksn 🙂
But although a cup double would
be very nice it wouldn’t make up
for the balls up we’ve made of
the league, for me anyway.
I might be being a bit harsh there
but the league is our bread and
butter and to see such a tame
surrender has pissed me off no
end.
OM@13
You are spot on about the deterioration of the Italian league.
Atleti and Red Bull are two of the more complete teams about and would probably give us a good game. The thing is though, do you think either of them would fancy facing us at anytime?
My money is on Arsenal to win this competition, all day everyday.
As ever, SG, it depends which Arsenal turns up on any particular day. Yes, we can beat anyone on a good day, but equally we can lose to rubbish on a bad one.
However, in the 68 years I have been following the Arse they have almost always been a better cup team than league team, so with a little luck when required……..
SG,
No I don’t, even now very few teams would fancy
drawing us in Europe. And I’m not too bothered
who we get next round. As Chris said just keep
turning up and we can certainly win it.
I can picture the scene now. In the league the spuds finish 5th and we finish 6th. Typical premature spuds go mad. Pre orders of the dvd go through the roof. Then we win the Europa to gain some more silverware and a place in the champions league.
You talk about salvaging a season? How funny would that be?
Thanks for the report, Holic. I watched on a dodgy stream last night. Thought the game was ‘whelming’ (neither under nor over). We needed a win to make the second leg an enjoyable formality featuring some promising youngsters and that was achieved. Good stuff. Onwards and upwards.
Steve, that scenario had also crossed my mind. Would have me smiling all the way through the summer.
“Papagiannopoulos deflected Mkhitaryan’s tempting cross past his own goalkeeper. Scorer and assister would have made some score in Scrabble.” – That really made me lol as the youngsters would say.
Decent result against a real curates egg of a team. Actually thought they were quite decent between our 2nd and 3rd goals, but utter pants for the first half hour and the last twenty minutes or so.
A tie with Celtic in the next round would be a tricky one ; is that possible or do the rules keep the domestic teams apart at that stage still ?
Hector Bellerin’s view of Arsenal Fan TV is a tiny bit harsh, as I don’t think any of them are NOT fans, although they irritate me emormously.
However if it has become a success out of failure on the pitch and that bothers you the solution is a simple one.
Stop fucking failing
🙂
Not a fan of the Grove but aerial photos of the new Spud Lane … it looks like a toilet.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/02/16/10/4948592E00000578-5399465-image-a-43_1518778652824.jpg
Thanks Cynic, I went and listened to Hector’s Q&A.
He’s a very positive guy it seems so he’s bound to
dislike Arsenal Fan TV 🙂
I only watched once and I didn’t like them either.
Celtic are not a domestic team, New Day, they are filthy foreigners 🙂
#28
Think you will find that is Rangers.
“Same ‘orse diff’rent jockey” as my old man used to say
They can’t even pronounce their own name, NDR, Seltic indeed!
I wonder if WBA wish they’d
sold us Evans now 🙂
The obvious song for opposition fans to be singing for the rest of the season is (to the tune of Joe Le Taxi)
Stole a taxi…
I got no more lyrics though.
It’s annoying being out of
the Cup, I hope normal service
resumes next year
Monks on hiatus?
It seems so bt8
a song for Lizzy Yarnold
in that case
https://youtu.be/jymywc4A1Cc
Though you do have to wait
a bit for the tenuous reference.
Better than monks sniffing glue, I suppose. 🙂
“West Brom players apologise after allegedly stealing taxi in Barcelona”
Honing their skills for their post-retirement careers?
Crafty billiards shot off the back of an Ostersund player for the second Arsenal goal. (Just watching the game now.)
So Josh Kroenke is supposedly in London to scrutinise the club from top to bottom, with a view to regime change.
I wouldn’t trust Josh Kroenke to choose me a matching pair of socks out of the laundry.
Just finished watching Malaga vs Valencia (which had ex Arsenal players Gabriel and Coquelin). Coq scored, which he never did for us, and Gabriel had a decent game. Never understood why we sold him.
Just biding their time, bt8b.
What I don’t understand is why those West Brom players would want to go to an effin MacDonalds for something to eat when they were in Barcelona ffs?
They should be locked up for that.
@44
🙂
But that was just a cunning ruse
to get the unwitting driver out of
his vehicle before they made off
with his cab
Apparently son of Stan is here to bring his
expertise in the development of an eSports
strategy whatever the fuck that is.
In reality I guess it’s part of the preparation
for when he takes over as Chief Parasite.
🙁
I came across this today- a biography of George Eastham
Gooners of a certain age will remember him fondly. He was a wonderful player- what they used to call a ‘schemer’
http://www.gunnerstown.com/arsenal/2018/02/18/highbury-hero-george-eastham-the-playmaker-with-the-midas-touch/
Thanks for the link TTG.
A good read, I didn’t know about
the Ernie Clay link.
He was a bit before my time
as an Arsenal player but I
remember the 72 League Cup
Final goal, nice for him to get
a medal finally.
Seems we had an entertaining
attack and an iffy defence in
those days….
Thanks for the link TTG. Should be required reading for all Gooners.
COYG
TTG@47,
I was lucky enough to go to the players lounge at Craven Cottage as an eighy year old in 1966, and told George Eastham that he was my second favourite player – he didn’t ask who beat him!
Watching the spuds game today, considering the team’s bad habits, isn’t Trippier wonderfully named?
Shit. They’ve equalised.
So who did beat George out of top spot DM?
It was Joe Baker, Pangloss.
My Dad said it was pretty embarrassing, but that sort of thing goes over the head of a youngster.
Great performance by Rochdale to take the diving rats from up the road to a Wembley replay.
Everybody sing….
SPURRRRRS ARE ON THEIR WAY TO WEMBLEY
(“Shame” it’s for a replay. With the mighty Rochdale)
Diving fuckers…
F the divin’ Spuds!
It was more than fifty years ago, DM, you can forgive yourself now.
Thnks for that link TTG
One of my favorite players in my early days following the Arse with my Dad.
The 60’s were very fallow years for Arse supporters,any other team scoring 86 and 90 goals in consecutive seasons would go close to winning the Title,but not us,conceding 77 and 86 and finishing mid table.
Still my all time favorite game was the 4 – 4 draw at Highbury against the neighbors in the 63 – 64 season,the game held up for half an hour due to the enormous crowd that turned up for the night time game.
All us young ones pulled out of the crush to sit right around the pitch as there were fears for our safety.
I will never forget Geoff Strong hanging for what looked like forever in the night sky at the North Bank end,to head the late equalizer from a corner.
I am sure a few other old timers in the bar were there that night as well.
Happy memories,and good to hear George is still alive and well in South Africa.
A good mate of mine in his 70’s now,played for several years in SA alongside quite a few ex Arse players who were attracted by the money/lifestyle and a strong competitive football comp after their careers in England were done.
Evening all.
My thanks also to TTG for link on George Eastham.He was my favourite player of that era, a masterful craftsman amongst a team of good to middling players.He had a football brain ahead of his team mates and his skills & moves were wonderful to watch.
Unfortunately his era came to an end with the advent of Dirty Leeds. They came to the HOF and just kicked him all over the park until he limped off injured. No protection from the referee & in those distant days a lot more physical approach was deemed within the rules.
Clive, I remember that night at Highbury quite well. The crowd was so huge and the atmosphere was electric. I managed to get to our normal position at the clock end – there was little segregation of supporters in those days. Sadly it was the one period when the LWC held an ascendency over us and their gloating followers were hard to bare. We went into the match as underdogs and to fight back from 4-2 down to get a glorious draw was treated as if it was a win. We all walked to the pub celebrating a great match and avoiding defeat ( those were barren days ).
Good to hear the great man is still alive and kicking in S.Africa.
I may have been there, Clive, but the ’60s matches are now very hazy memories for one who had recently opened a rocknroll club. I remember better the ’59 away game when as a callow youth of 17 my mind was a lot clearer! Thrashing them 4-1 at their place remains a very clear and treasured memory. With everyone smoking, as we used to, in that tight little hell hole I remember the atmos as distinctly Faustian.
Lovely first photo in your link, TTG, Eastham looking not unlike a mini Tony Adams!
Thanks for the nice memories of George Eastham, my Dad was in the army with his Dad and played football with him.
Dorset Mick- Joe Baker was a great favourite of mine and I believe the Guvna here as well . What a finisher!
Clive,
I remember that night, 4-2 down with a few minutes left and that last unforgettable corner. Kids all around the pitch because of overcrowding
Uply
I remember the first visit of Leeds to Highbury after they were promoted Collins and Bremner and Giles kicked everything that moved . Bastards. I wished them relegation and a limbo in which they changed managers in a perpetual search fir redemption. And it’s come true?!
McClintock, Armstrong, Eastham, Howe- we had some character in that side but unfortunately must have been using the same defensive coach !
Nice link above. Just looking at the ball in the first photo gave me a headache.
UTA.
I suppose there’s been enough about penalties
recently but the report I read about the Spud
cup game said there was no doubt about the
penalty for McGahey’s challenge on Alli.
I watched and things are just wrong if the
divey fuck can get that labelled as no doubt.
Ooops, it was the first black & white photo where George looks like Tony Adams.
I watched the highlights of that spud game and I agree that ‘divey fuck’ is a fairly accurate description of daily alle. The support that the spuds get from the refs is unbelievable. Though their game has improved under Pocchetino, a part of their success in the league and FA Cup is due to the benevolence of refs.
£200m for the extension to the shirt sponsorship and training kit sponsorship for the next five years seems a bit cheap to me
Ivan Gazidis told the club’s website it will provide the investment required for the Gunners continue to compete for silverware.
lol
It’s been said that the deal is just behind Man United’s which is purported to be £47m per annum.
At £40m p/a, we are at par with Chelsea in second place.
Some of that money should be spent on any two of Lascelles, Tarkowski, Mawson, Dunk and Evans. These guys are young English defenders (Evans apart) that have done quite well so far and shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Jack Butland might be no 1 for the Three Lions at the World Cup and beyond.
I’d consider him alongside Jan Oblak and Timo Horn.
In midfield, Ndidi of Leicester City. He’s awesome.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>