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Having spent 18 years in charge of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger is still incredibly reluctant to dwell on past successes. Yet, as an avid student of the game, he would have also been keenly aware of a few key statistics ahead of Galatasaray’s visit to the Emirates in the UEFA Champions League.
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/09/30/analyzing-how-arsenal-will-suffer-when-trying-to-overcome-injury-worries/">Arsenal</a> have never lost to a Turkish side in regular time and Galatasaray have yet to record a win on English soil. The glaring footnote being the only other time these two sides have met – the 2000 UEFA Cup final, when Arsenal lost to the Turkish side in Copenhagen on penalties.
Ravaged by injuries, much of the pre-game column inches were devoted to speculation as to which midfield formation Arsene Wenger would deploy. Deprived of the midfield guile and stability that Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta provide, Wenger was also tasked with accommodating Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla in a fashion that would allow their creative talents to flourish without sacrificing the balance required in elite European competition.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, had the luxury of a fully fit squad to call upon but traveled to London on the back of distinctly average domestic form and a worrying defensive record in the Champions League. Galatasaray have recorded only one clean sheet in their last 14 Champions League games and needed a 91st-minute equalizer from Burak Yilmaz to salvage a draw at home against Anderlecht last time out.
Arsenal:
Szczesny 5 – Completely untroubled until the penalty incident when he had little choice but to commit to a challenge for the ball with Yilmaz played through on goal. Replays suggest that could have been braver when diving at feet but can have no arguments about the red card.
Chambers 8 – Impossible to believe that the 19-year-old is playing his first season in the UEFA Champions League. Also showed incredible tactical discipline against superior numbers. An additional half point for somehow not picking up his customary yellow card.
Mertesacker 7.5 – Typically solid and another no-frills display in defense. Once again, his lack of pace more than made up for by flawless positional awareness.
Koscielny 8 – Followed up a superb display against Spurs with yet another clinic in central defending. Also seems to have shaken off a poor habit of diving in on players in the penalty area and was completely unfazed by the extra man.
Gibbs 8 – Wenger may well be ruing how well Gibbs is playing lately as it may inevitably lead to a call-up to the England squad in a few weeks. Dangerous moving forward and tidy in defense, Gibbs is quietly learning which of these virtues is required by his team when circumstances dictate.
Flamini 7 – Followed up a very poor performance in the north London derby with the sort of shift Arsenal need from a holding midfielder. Nothing spectacular, but gladly carried water and provided a platform for the more creative players.
Oxlade-Chamberlain 8.5 – Seems to be on a mission lately to make it impossible for Wenger to drop him. Beautiful assist for Welbeck while simultaneously showcasing the type of engine and industry that should excite every England fan.
Alexis 8 – Amidst increasing speculation that he might not fit into the current Arsenal set-up, never went hiding and dispatched a clinical finish. Also starting to show an eye for a pass that suggests he might be one to watch for assists this season. Deducted half a point for not gratuitously hiking up his shorts. Tease.
Cazorla 8.5- Worked his boy’s department sized socks off and provided a crucial link between defense and attack. Incredibly unfortunate not to score, which would have been no less reward than his overall team contribution deserved.
Ozil 8 – Unabashedly shy in the tackle, the roaming Ozil found space all over the Emirates. Did what he does best and orchestrated the attack with subtle movements and insightful forward play. Clearly benefits with runners ahead of him and not having to do anything that might hurt.
Welbeck 9.5 – Tired towards the end, which is about the only criticism that can be leveled against the England international tonight. Has <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/09/03/5-reasons-why-selling-danny-welbeck-makes-zero-sense-for-manchester-united/">Welbeck </a>found his spiritual home? Is he trolling his Manchester United mates on social media tonight? If he isn’t, he should.
Galatasaray:
Muslera 5 – Won’t be buying his defense dinner anytime soon. Neither clearly at fault for any of the goals, nor did his cover himself in glory with the kind of saves you need away from your goalkeeper, away from home, at this level of competition.
Chedjou: 5 – Suffered in the same way the rest of the Turkish back line did with Arsenal’s movement and pace. Nothing noticeably deficient in his performance but looked out of his depth in the face of quick passing.
Melo: 4 – Looked more comfortable when shunted into midfield but struggled all night trying to contain an inspired Welbeck. Incredibly lucky not to receive an early bath after a reckless (at best) challenge on Alexis.
Kaya: 5 – Must also share the collective responsibility of an incredibly poor back line and woefully caught out of position too often. Will be lucky if his goalkeeper speaks to him in training this week.
Sari: 5 – Almost impossible to rate because of a pretty anonymous performance. Did very little to contribute to his team’s performance and far too happy to hide when his teammates needed him most. Utterly lost on the big stage.
Kurtulus: 6 – Showed more industry and willing than his counterparts but struggled to contain the mercurial Carzola. Can at least be confident he won’t be the primary candidate of the next dressing room prank.
Dzemaili: 6 – Lively in spurts but suffered from no obvious outlets in the same colored shirt. Often far too frustrated by the additional defensive responsibilities imposed upon him by a very mobile Arsenal side.
Sneijder: 6.5 – Increasingly influential, especially with a man advantage, but not the Sneijder of old that could grab a game by the scruff of the neck. A few pot-shots from the edge of the area hinted at his superior class but not nearly enough on the night.
Telles: 5.5 – Clearly hoped to take advantage of Arsenal’s right flank with a teenage defender ahead of him but rarely troubled a composed Chambers. Plenty of huff and puff but never showing any real likelihood of blowing the house down.

Arsenal vs Galatasaray Player Ratings

Arsenal vs Galatasaray Player Ratings - World Soccer Talk

<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/02/GIROUD-e1412113923899.jpg"></a><figure class="image"><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/02/GIROUD-e1412113923899.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-95108" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20141001_CMS_117636_GIROUD-600x337_1499d562.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=337" alt="GIROUD" width="600" height="337"></a></figure>
Injured Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud will soon be rewarded with a two-year contract extension with the Gunners. Manager Arsene Wenger announced during his Tuesday <a href="http://www.arsenal.com/pressconference">press conference</a> that the deal will be ironed out and completed shortly. The new contract will keep the France international at The Emirates until 2018.
Giroud, who just turned 28 on Tuesday, is surely the most polarizing player in the Arsenal squad. While the lanky center-forward scores goals and has a solid work rate, some fans get frustrated with the Frenchman’s play at times. Nevertheless, there is no denying the fact that Giroud scored 22 total goals for the Gunners last season (the highest tally of any player in the squad) and 41 total combined goals in just over two full seasons since his arrival to the north London from French club Montpellier.
The France international is currently suffering from a foot injury and will likely be out until around Christmas. Giroud last featured for the Gunners in a 2-2 draw with Everton on August 23rd, a game in which he scored in the final minutes of the game to secure a share of the points at Goodison Park.
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/09/30/analyzing-how-arsenal-will-suffer-when-trying-to-overcome-injury-worries/">Arsenal has not exactly coped well</a> since the injury to Giroud in August. In the seven matches since the injury to the center-forward, Arsenal has only managed to win two games, while only scoring nine goals in the process. Prior to his injury, Giroud scored five goals in his last 10 Arsenal matches, and the Gunners were undefeated during the 10 game stretch (eight victories and two draws).
Despite his scoring record, Giroud has turned into somewhat of a scapegoat since his arrival a little over two years ago. Although fans are usually the hardest on strikers, Giroud’s criticism is undoubtedly too harsh. The Frenchman was brought into north London (along with Lukas Podolski) to help ease the pain associated with Robin van Persie’s switch to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/09/30/louis-van-gaal-vs-david-moyes-comparing-first-6-games/">Manchester United</a>. While Giroud may not be as talented as van Persie, he has done an adequate job in helping to replace the Dutchman at The Emirates.
Arsenal’s recent dip in form could very well have a direct correlation with Giroud’s injury. The Arsenal brass have done their part in trying to fill the Giroud void, as they paid around $25 million to bring in former United striker Danny Welbeck on the final day of the summer transfer market.
While Welbeck is a solid addition to the team (and offers pace into the squad, something in which Giroud lacks), the 23-year-old England international has yet to help the Gunners fire on all cylinders. Although Welbeck will certainly start to score goals eventually, Giroud’s integration back into the squad in December should benefit both the team and Welbeck. Healthy competition at the center-forward position will help push both of the players.
Some Gunner fans may not be happy with Wenger for giving Giroud the contract extension, however, there is no denying the Frenchman’s importance to this Arsenal team. Along with his goals, Giroud’s link up play, passing, vision, and work rate are all <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjpTa5mnq-s">very sufficient</a>.
The Gunners have also been poor at converting from set pieces this season and a healthy Giroud would certainly help the team in that area due to his 6’4” frame. If Arsenal can cope with his absence over the next few months, a lineup that includes Giroud, Alexis Sanchez, and Theo Walcott for the second half of the season seems extremely promising.

Underrated Olivier Giroud Deserves His Arsenal Contract Extension

Underrated Olivier Giroud Deserves His Arsenal Contract Extension - World Soccer Talk

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