match report – player ratings – Video
I have to say I missed European football last season, the gap between matches was too much at times, but last night’s win over FC Zurich was a reminder that the Europa League group stage isn’t exactly the best of things. this competition.
The 2-1 win is not a game many are looking to relive, the result goes into the history books and we move on to the next one. That said, there might well be one person in particular who will remember this night as special, and for 19-year-old debutant Marquinhos it was definitely that.
It was one of a number of changes Mikel Arteta made to his side, and also debuted goalkeeper Matt Turner, a first starter for summer signing Fabio Vieira, as well as starters for Eddie Nketiah, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Rob Holding. We did not start well. A poor pass, and a poor decision to make that pass, by Turner gave the home team a chance to get ahead, and from the next corner after Holding had cleared to the near post, the American goalkeeper fluttered unconvincingly. He grew in the game after that, but those first few minutes were a bit iffy.
However, after that, Arsenal came out on top and stayed on top. We dominated possession, playing most of the game in his half, often camped outside the final third, and Marquinhos provided a fantastic ball for Gabriel Martinelli, who headed wide with the goal at his mercy. However, the younger of the two Brazilian attackers made his mark soon after, after a superbly weighted ball from Vieira sent Eddie Nketiah far down the left, the striker squared and Marquinhos coolly finished into the top corner.
His emotional response to the goal was really lovely, you could see how much it meant to him, and maybe if Arsenal had signed before the end of the window he might not even have been on the pitch, so fair play for taking his chance
There were other chances for Vieira and Xhaka, but it wasn’t entirely one way. At the other end, Holding and Tierney had to make some serious blocks, but Arsenal should have made more of their dominance. And right before the break we pay the price for that. Eddie fouled a man from Zurich in our box (maybe it was a bit soft, but 100% I would have liked it to go the other end) and a penalty kick leveled the sides at half time.
We started the second half brilliantly. Martinelli, Eddie and Tomiyasu all had scoring efforts, and Martinelli could have provided an opportunity for Nketiah, but he opted to shoot instead. However, the striker was assisted by the other side, a very well weighted cross from Marquinhos found him at the far post, and his header to the ground went in and proved to be the winner. I can remember a couple of games last season when he had opportunities not unlike that one and didn’t make the most of them, so it was nice to see him score that one.
At the time, it became one of those early Europa League group stage games. Both teams made changes, we could possibly have scored again depending on how much ball we had, but with a one goal lead there is always a bit of jitters. Later on, Holding and Gabriel found one of their substitutes a bit unwieldy in the air, but in the end we held on to take all three points and start our European season with a win.
Not a classic by any means, but it was good to see Vieira out there, and his technical quality is obvious. He winced a couple of times when he was on the receiving end of some hard kicks that he obviously felt, maybe the ankle injury that he came in with is still a bit sore. However, you can see what kind of player he is and what he could bring to the table as he gets more established.
Eddie got a goal and an assist in his first start of the season, making up for the penalty award, and while we do have to take the opposition into account a bit, Marquinhos with the same amount of end product on his Arsenal debut will give him a lot confidence. The reality of our squad right now is that he is needed, perhaps even occasionally in the Premier League, so bringing what he did to the table will serve him well.
Well, let’s leave it there for this morning. There will be an Arsecast today, but with game time, and the fact that I have a post-op dog to take care of, it won’t be until later this afternoon. For those asking about Lana, she is sore and sad, which is to be expected after such a huge operation, but hopefully, with lots of meds and TLC, she will be brighter and better day by day.
Pod must be out in the afternoon or thereabouts. Goodbye for now.
