Arsenal 0 Red Star Belgrade 0 – Five things we learnt including why Reiss Nelson is the pick of the youngsters
ARSENAL laboured to a 0-0 home draw against Red Star Belgrade tonight that guaranteed their progression into the Europa League knockout stages.
But it was a disjointed and lethargic performance from Arsene Wenger's young side, and a host of seniors.
With the Gunners facing the ominous task of playing Manchester City away in the Premier League on Sunday, it was a test for the boss to give fringe players a chance.
But a 0-0 draw at home to the Serbian outfit will probably be seen as a failure.
But who shone and who fluffed their lines?
Here are five things we learnt from the game.
It is never going to happen for Theo Walcott
It is sad to see someone who was once England’s brightest young prospect let his career pass him by, but what if Walcott never really was that good?
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The speed king looked technically and mentally a step behind all the other Arsenal players, even the youngsters.
Maybe we should take our hats off to the FA, because with a generation of more intelligent ball players coming through the ranks, Walcott is looking like a one-trick pony whose time has passed.
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Mohamed Elneny can play sweeper
It’s one of Arsene Wenger’s less popular decisions this season, but he isn’t budging.
In his programme notes the Gunners’ boss reiterated his view that he saw the Egyptian’s future at the club as being the last line of defence in a back three.
While the threat from Red Star wasn’t quite what he would expect in the Premier League, Elneny’s experience as a deep-lying ball-playing midfielder means he is well placed to anticipate any passes through the middle.
But Reiss Nelson looks very promising
As one generation passes, it’s time for another to step up.
As in Belgrade, Reiss Nelson offered more going forward than Walcott, causing the Serbians a number of problems down the right.
At the same time, he fully understood the defensive responsibilities of playing wing-back in Arsene Wenger’s 4-3-3 formation.
It was no coincidence that most of the visitors’ breaks came down Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ left side.
Francis Coquelin needs to offer SOMETHING going forward
The fact he is a year away from a testimonial without scoring a single goal shows Coquelin isn’t at Arsenal for his attacking play.
But tonight’s match reached a point where his passing was so poor that it actually put the Gunners’ defence in jeopardy.
Countless passes put out for a throw-in and playing a through ball to the Red Star goalkeeper when you are the furthest player forward is not really good enough at this level.
Very lucky he didn’t cost Arsenal more dramatically.
Richmond Boakye won’t be playing in the Premier League any time soon
He was the only Red Star player talked about in the English press before the match as he was linked with Chelsea.
But was it agent talk?
Poorly timed runs and two dreadful one-on-one misses suggest the Ghanaian wouldn’t be able to help out Crystal Palace too much, let alone Chelsea.
Far better Red Star performances came from former Watford defender Vujadin Savic and Gabonese midfielder Guelor Kanga.
