Arteta’s backups get a run out in Eindhoven dead rubber

 

PSV Eindhoven 1 Arsenal 1   
Champions League   
Tuesday 13th December 2023 6.45pm (local time)   

This one will be a fairly brief blog, for two reasons. 1 – The only significance of this match was prize money. Arsenal had already won the group; PSV had qualified in second place due to their head-to-head record against Lens. €2.8million, the pay-out for a win is a handy amount of spare change. 2 – It’s currently quarter to 9 in Amsterdam and as I am staying at a cheap hotel (relatively – this city is a bit costly), checkout is 10am, which just seems wrong, although as this is an EasyJet company place, it’s probably just a way of getting guests to pay more to get a couple more hours in bed. 

 

Anyhow, back to the game and although Martinelli didn’t travel, the squad contained the names to put out a close to first choice eleven. Come the release of the line-ups, many of those that started last weekend at Villa were on the bench. Gabriel and Saliba started, as well as Havertz. The other eight players were what you’d consider second choicers in Arteta’s current thinking. There were certainly a couple of lesser spotted faces – Elneny and Cedric. Thankfully, Aaron Ramsdale started, and it would have been the ultimate kick in the teeth not to play him in this game. 

 

Let’s start with the keeper. He had a cracking game. There wasn’t much he could do about PSV’s second half equaliser, which (and I’ve only seen it live) appeared to hit both posts before going in. His double save in the first half was a reminder of the heights he can reach as a shotstopper. There really wouldn’t be too much complaint from Gooners if he were to return as the first choice, based on Raya’s recent failings.

 

Fieldling both Jorginho and Elneny in midfield offered great protection to the centre backs than normal and PSV didn’t get too much joy coming down the middle. The front quartet of Havertz, Nelson, Nketiah and Trossard were always going to lack a bit of understanding, but Eddie’s goal was a good piece of play with Nelson finding the striker on the edge of the box and Nketiah finishing coolly low into the corner of the net. Nelson put in a fairly good performance, but in fairness to the player, as he is effectively the backup for Bukayo Saka, his career would benefit by playing first team football elsewhere. Much as he did okay last night, he was facing an equally second-string PSV lineup, and on the occasions he starts for Arsenal back in England, he’s not consistently made an impact. Once in a while, he gets on as a sub, and nobody’s going to forget the winner against Bournemouth last February, but the promise of his early days hasn’t borne fruit. 

 

At least, due to injuries, Eddie Nketiah has had the chance to compete more for gametime, although that there are calls for a striker to be bought in January tells you what most fans think. Nice lad, but not a good enough player to deliver what’s required. 

 

As for the game, it was a decent contest, a draw about the right result. Arsenal did briefly think they’d taken the lead again with a headed goal by Kiwior, only to be ruled offside. 

 

Some of the more established players came on for a runout, although I’m uncertain of the point of bringing Jesus and Smith Rowe on in the 89th minute was. Maybe they get an appearance bonus, so this is Arteta’s way of keeping them on board? White, Rice and Odegaard came on for half an hour, with Rice replacing Saliba at centre back. He did okay there, and I have a memory of him performing the role a handful of times in his West Ham days. Maybe this was an opportunity for Arteta to look at options in the event of injuries. Rice certainly didn’t look out of place, and as ball playing centre backs go, you’d do well to find better.

 

The reason I made the trip was to see a game in PSV’s Phillips Stadion. It’s always looked a tidy ground when I’ve seen it on the box, and so it proved. A decent continental stadium with proper corners – much better than a round bowl in my book, although of course the netting in front of the away section doesn’t require any comment. When I booked the trip back in September after the draw, there was always the chance this match might have nothing on it, and so it proved. 

 

So, a case of job done, most of the first team rested before Brighton on Sunday, then a week to prepare for Anfield. Christmas is less than a fortnight away, but more immediate is the draw for the next round, where at least Arsenal will avoid Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City. It’s been a long while since the Gunners competed in this competition and even longer since they last made their way past the last eight – 14 years by my reckoning. The early months of 2024 will be a real test of the team’s progress both at domestic and continental level.

 

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