[ad_1]
One of the reasons that Unai Emery was hired was his specialist status in the Europa League. The Basque man has won this contest three times in a row with Sevilla. And since Arsenal is in this society right now (as desperate as it is to get out of it), there is some logic in choosing a coach who knows how to cross that line.
So, having already covered the distance a few times, is his current team strong enough to emulate that in the Europa League? Emery stopped for a moment before forming his answer. "We can," he thought, not in a totally convincing way. "Of the last 16, there is Arsenal, but it's very difficult. Many teams want the same thing. We must feel this competition with our supporters. This feeling can give us more possibilities. We must feel stronger in this competition with everyone and create this atmosphere around us. "
This connection with Bate Borisov might not stay long in the memory, and this Arsenal team could really do with a click or three to find the momentum of conviction required; a real sense of team rushing to a mission, hoping for more than one turn at a time. But a comfortable night shift where Arsenal progressed while avoiding a hint of danger at least gives Emery a way to work.
There is no illusions: a more positive impulse is needed to unleash a real momentum. Mesut Özil was notably back on the side while Arsenal finally organized a contest on a track deemed flat enough for Emery to take up the luxury riddle. The playmaker at gossamer touch and a light work ethic had only started a day since Boxing Day, which is not a scenario that serves the player or the club well. It was telling that, despite everything that had happened on this subject, Özil played 90 minutes without it being really a drama.
"I told him," Continue and be available like today, as in the past two weeks, to continue to train and help us, "said Emery. "I'm happy, that's what we want with him. His spirit and quality were good, important and positive. Be available, continue – today, he showed what he wanted. "
Özil was found with the armband after the captain, Laurent Koscielny, left as a precaution with a muscular problem. Özil has shown a lot of imagination, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to convince his coach to keep him at the heart of more competitive games. Emery said he was going to make changes to meet the schedule of Sunday's home games against Southampton and Wednesday against Bournemouth, before the next round of the Europa League will continue, caught between two high-scoring matches. Octane Tottenham and Manchester United.
Even though Özil added grease to attack grooves, it was more of a functional performance than an uplifting performance. The score came thanks to a goal from Bate and two corners are completed by Arsenal. Yet, all that makes you spend the night.
Looking at Arsenal in front of Bate, dominating without being particularly inspiring more or less all evening, it was reasonable to congratulate them immediately for a calm and secure outcome while worrying for the toughest challenges.
At the end of a failed night in Borisov, Emery said his team would reverse the situation in the second leg. This confidence seemed well founded while Arsenal dominated enthusiastically the first three minutes and took the lead in the fourth. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang escaped through the right channel and hung out at a center that should not have been embarrbading for a line of Bate defenders. One of them, the unfortunate Zakhar Volkov, threw a leg and pbaded the ball past his goalkeeper.
Except for a few losses, the rest of the match was mainly Arsenal's, which was shamelessly transmitting, looking for openings and usually making unexpected hits. With Alexandre Lacazette suspended, it was in Aubameyang that it was the responsibility to lead the series, the main actors being theoretically ready to help. The trio composed of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Özil and Alex Iwobi wandered around him, but the general pattern of offensive play lacked cohesion and precision to turn the screw.
The breakthrough was made decisively since the first corner of Granit Xhaka was touched by the head of Shkodran Mustafi. The plan was then repeated and Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Koscielny made an immediate impact by taking a look at the third goal of the night for Arsenal.
The crowd has moved away and Arsenal is waiting for the final draw on Friday, with Emery's desire to participate more in this competition, regardless of his performance.
Source link
