UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Group F Arsenal 0 Marseille 0:AT THIS stage of a Champions League group urgency is on the rise. Arsenal were eager to ensure they got beyond this point of the competition and Marseille, beaten at home by Wenger's men, were bound to display an attacking spirit.
They bore no resemblance to the stodgy side seen at the Velodrome. The tempo was high from kick-off, as if there were not a moment to lose. By contemporary standards, Didier Deschamps’ decision to put two forwards in the Marseille line-up verged on a romantic gesture.
Arsenal had unusual scope to mount attacks of their own, although a lack of finishing power and some good saves prevented an early breakthrough. Openings were inevitable since Marseille were in determined pursuit of victory. Uncertainty over the outcome owed something to do with naming Robin van Persie, among the substitutes.
There were chances before the interval, but not that great a need for impressive goalkeeping. The problem was indifferent finishing. Gervinho, for instance, was full of intent and menace, yet neither he nor any of his team-mates could find the target at the key moment.
The visitors’ goalkeeper Steve Mandanda was equal to the challenges that came his way. He benefited from the fact, too, that Marseille had to show adventure this time.
The French team had been an enigma in their earlier match at the Velodrome. Arsenal did not waste time thinking about the peculiarity of their opponents that night. A draw would have kept them ahead of Arsenal by two points yet they put themselves in harm’s way with that effort to maintain the deadlock.
It was only just that the Premier League side, ever more convinced of Marseille’s vulnerability, should score the only goal of the night through Aaron Ramsay at the end. With that outcome Arsenal emerged as group leaders.
The situation was enviable and Wenger must have been content, too, with his run of five consecutive wins in all competitions.
Getting the better of Marseille in the away match has had a galvanising effect.
The 5-3 defeat of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at the weekend carried a special resonance and, if anything, Arsenal had to shed some of the exhilaration and concentrate on being organised in this second meeting with Marseille, a club surely determined, at worst, to come second in Group F. The side has since moved into the top half of the French League.
That may have accounted for the conviction with which they started at the Emirates. Loic Remy was close to flicking home a ball from Andre Ayew in the first minute. For a period, Arsenal, surely to their surprise, found themselves being put to the test. Any complacency about a home match against opponents they had already beaten was swiftly removed from the players’ minds.
The outlook and style of Deschamps’ side had been transformed since the earlier meeting, but the inconsequentiality of their work when the moment came to shoot or attempt a penetrative pass was still on view. While Arsenal had less to concern them while this match was deadlocked they should still have been in hot pursuit of a win that would sustain the rise in the expectations of the squad and the players alike.
While Van Persie sat on the bench there was a reminder that there is no real alternative to the Dutchman. His introduction for the ineffective Park Chu-young was all but inevitable. Arsenal were looking for impact and Tomas Rosicky, who flourished against Chelsea, took over from Aaron Ramsey. By then there were few openings to be found. With Marseille developing a marked interest in scoring it was Arsenal who had to be careful. This game was engaging in itself and it served as a reminder that Wenger’s side is still under development.
Guardian Service
ARSENAL: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Andre Santos, Song, Arteta, Walcott, Ramsey (Rosicky 66), Gervinho (Arshavin 76), Park (van Persie 62). Subs not used: Fabianski, Koscielny, Djourou, Benayoun. Booked: Rosicky.
OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE: Mandanda, Fanni, Diarra, N'Koulou, Morel, Diawara, Andre Ayew, Valbuena (Gonzalez 74), Cheyrou, Jordan Ayew (Gignac 84), Remy (Amalfitano 68). Subs not used: Bracigliano, Azpilicueta, Kabore, Traore. Booked: Diarra.
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento(Italy).
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