Premier League
Flu-Ridden Arsenal Limp To Rare Road Victory At Huddersfield
“Ozil Flu” Spreads Throughout Arsenal Squad
Mesut Ozil has become infamous for missing games through “illness” at the last moment. Given his feud with manager Unai Emery, fans are left to wonder what the truth of the matter is. Is he really sick? Is he faking it? Or is the manager conjuring an excuse to justify his decision to not play the team’s highest paid player? Fans realized the dubious illness bug appeared to have spread to other stars when the lineup was announced.
Aubameyang, Ramsey and Xhaka all did not even make the bench for the game, despite all being expected to be available. Given Emery’s propensity for counterintuitive personnel choices, the club felt it necessary to add an asterisks to the announced lineup. The social media team clarified that these players missed out because of illness and minor injury, rather than the whims of the coach.
Micahel Jordan and the Bulls were famously able to overcome the flu to produce one of the most memorable basketball games ever. For the Gunners, a squad hindered by unexpected illness and injuries merely resulted in a forgettable afternoon in which they were fortunate to collect all three points. Arsenal won an away match in the league for the first time since November. However, the 2-1 victory will leave fans with more concerns than assurances moving forward.
Arsenal Midfield Struggles again with Guendouzi as Focal Point
The numbers clearly show that Arsenal win at a much higher rate when Matteo Gunedouzi does not start. Emery is perhaps the only manager who would have benched the fresh Ramsey and Ozil but started a tired Guendouzi in Arsenal’s previous match at Manchester City. Bereft of creativity, the team went an entire half without a shot for the first time in four years. Surely the Guendouzi-Torriera pairing in midfield would not be deployed again in this match, right?
Perplexingly, that is exactly what happened. Emery clearly has an infatuation with Guendouzi, as the previously unknown teenager has played the most games of any player at Arsenal this season. Cynical fans joked that the manager fabricated the illnesses and injuries in his midfield in order to justify starting the pair in front of a five-man defense for the second consecutive match.
Struggling away to City, perhaps the world’s best side, is understandable. Struggling away to Huddersfield, the worst side in the Premier League, is far more alarming. Shockingly, Arsenal saw only 45% of possession and were out-shot 15-9. The Terriers hassled Arsenal’s midfield all game. Aaron Mooy pulled the strings effectively for Huddersfield and was arguably the best player on the pitch. The home side forced Arsenal to defend deep for long periods but lacked the quality to put the ball in the net.
Guendouzi didn’t play particularly poorly, but the team rarely seems to click with him the lineup. In fact, aside from the different colored uniforms, it was hard to decipher which midfield belonged to a top-6 side and which was that of the league’s bottom club. Emery must realize that he is putting too much responsibility on the teenager’s shoulders. Deploying him in a midfield with no natural play makers is inviting problems for the Gunners.
Iwobi and Mkhitaryan Contribute
Despite inconsistencies with their end product, Iwobi and Mkhitaryan delivered strong performances in their roles behind the striker. Known for his nutmegs, Iwobi turned in perhaps his best (and luckiest) for Arsenal’s opener. A quick restart 16 minutes in freed Kolasinac down the left. The Bosnian Hulk’s pin-point cross found Iwobi at the back post. The Nigerian did well to keep his volley on target and the ball managed to split the legs of the defender. Notwithstanding the slight deflection, Huddersfield’s backup goalie Ben Hamer should have done better. Iwobi will feel he was due a bit of luck in front of goal and gladly claimed his fourth of the campaign.
Mkhitaryan enjoyed a productive return to the team after a two month injury layoff. Like Iwobi, Mkhitaryan was able to continuously pick up the ball in dangerous positions between the Terrier’s lines. Despite some disappointing final balls, he was instrumental to Arsenal’s second goal just before halftime. From a counterattack, his attempted through ball to Lacazette was deflected back to him. He showed great composure to retain possession and slip a gorgeous reverse ball to Maitland-Niles down the right. The young Englishman rushed forward to deliver a one-time cross that found Lacazette. The Frenchman slammed home the perfectly weighted pass from close range.
Arsenal’s Defensive Problems Persist
Arsenal have a nasty habit of conceding in nearly every match. If ever there was a game for Bernd Leno to record his second Premier League clean sheet, this was it. The Gunners deployed five defenders with two defensive midfielders, as Emery took a cautious approach away from home.
Additionally, Huddersfield appear to be above their head in the Premier League and appear certain to be relegated. They are mired at the bottom of the league with only 11 points from 26 games. The situation is so dire, the club recently dismissed beloved manager David Wagner.
The Terriers had only scored five times at home all season and were in the midst of a nine hour goal drought as the match reached the conclusion. Huddersfield had played well and created chances. However, devoid of all confidence in front of goal, they were unable to finish any of them. With 90 seconds remaining , the home fans were wondering if they would ever see their side score again.
Then Arsenal did something seemingly only Arsenal could do. The Gunners’ defense mercifully ended Huddersfield’s absurdly long drought with an own goal. Gooners were a mix of frustrated, embarrassed, perplexed and unsurprised as Kolasinac comically turned the ball into his own net with nearly the game’s final kick. Arsenal will need to eliminate these defensive lapses in order to beat Chelsea and United to fourth position.
Photo credit to Arsenal via Twitter
