Arsenal Haunted by their Past

Arsenal’s elimination from the Champions League at the hands of PSV Eindhoven marks the end of their trophy aspirations and effectively signals the end of their season – apart from the absolute necessity of ensuring continued qualification for the competition. In a sense the pain would have been easier to endure if Ronald Koeman’s side had gone to the Emirates and PSVd all over them with an irresistible exhibition of total football, but it wasn’t like that at all. The truth is that the Gunners have lost their European dream and their unbeaten record in their new home to a team which is their very antithesis – a team whose strengths would have had George Graham drooling.

The whole PSV operation was founded upon strong defence – strong in organisation and strong in numbers, with their Brazilian man of the match centre back Alex, who ironically is currently on loan from Chelsea, at the heart of it. And when they had soaked up all the pressure they had the technical ability to retain possession long enough to threaten the opposition on the break. It all worked almost perfectly, because if Alex hadn’t scored an own goal from Denilson’s corner in the 58th minute it would have ended with the Brazilian’s late headed winner from a free kick. In other words, one nil to the PSV. It has a familiar ring all right.