Champions League, 2nd Round: Arsenal 1 – 1 PSV Eindhoven (Agg 1 – 2)

1 – 0 Alex (o.g.) (58)
1 – 1 Alex (83)

We’re all doomed, I tell ya. Doomed!

I feel like I am listening to Private Frazer this morning. We’re not doomed and it is not the end of the World. Seriously Chaps (and Chapesses), it isn’t. We failed, yes and the match was a rerun of most of the others at The Emirates, a well organised defence that still allowed opportunities to be spurned, opponents who had few chances but came away with a draw, collective scratching of the heads wondering how we did not win that game. Except this time, the draw was exceptionally costly, no chance to put it right next week or in three days time. The disappointment of exiting two Cups in a fortnight is tangible for both players and supporters, especially with hopes for a good run in this competition raised after the defeats to Chelsea and Blackburn, some feeling that the Season would be over if progress were halted last night. Well, it was halted but the Season is still alive. Second place is unlikely – winning our game in hand and beating Chelsea still leaves a five point gap, probably too much at this stage of the season – but the squad now needs to show the steel it has previously and push on to secure third place.

The tension off the pitch fed the tension on it and vice versa. Could we as supporters have done more to relax the players? Certainly but whether there would have been such relaxation in the starting XI is debatable. Arsene chose his strongest starting line-up and after the initial ten minutes of misplaced passes and loose control, they warmed to their task. What is apparent though is that the squad lacks more than one consistent goalscorer. Would van Persie have buried such chances is a moot point; an unanswerable question that pre-supposes he would have been in the same positions, something that cannot be taken for granted. A fully fit Henry may have finished them but with his form this season there is no guarantee. Or is it simply that last night was one of those nights?

The players on the pitch were pretty much as expected. Toure at right back was not. A mistake? If so, tell me how. He marauded up the wing as if playing there was the most natural thing in the World. Would Gallas have done better? Doubtful. An early break gave Toure the chance to shoot but alas it was wide. Had Adebayor’s first touch been better from Fabregas’ pass then Gomes would not have been able to smother the shot. Toure then brought a good save from Gomes, the ball moving in the air wickedly. If Arsene is looking for a new ‘keeper to replace Lehmann this summer, two candidates have emerged from this curtailed European campaign, Akinfeev and Gomes. Knowing our luck, we would end up with Helton from Porto. It is not hard to see how Gomes is so highly rated yet he plays behind a well-organised defence, something that is lacking at times at Arsenal, Cocu’s poor header from an unmarked position indicative of that.

Up front, the poor luck that has beset his season so far continued for Baptista, the crossbar found in an attempt to use power instead of guile after Fabregas’ effort rebounded to him. This after Adebayor headed wide, a option lacking for Arsenal at times is an aerial threat yet it was the Togolese International who forced Gomes to flap at Denilson’s corner, the ball entering the net via the foot of the Chelsea-bound Alex. An hour gone and the relief was marked, on and off the pitch. The cue for more attacking. The cue for Henry to be introduced. Surely the second was a matter of time? Adebayor had a shot blocked by Gomes. Hleb set Fabregas for a shot that carried on rising. Henry’s freekick was saved by Gomes. As time ticked on, chances become more crucial but so did keeping a clean sheet. Extra Time would not be a disaster, thirty more minutes to try to break down the PSV defence. The visitors had their moments; Farfan ran into Gallas, howls from this morning’s media that it should have been a penalty. Not so. In the end though, another Chelsea player ended Arsenal’s season from a header. Alex rose to meet Mendez’s freekick and that was that. Two goals in seven minutes required; not much hope of that given the preceding eighty but not the cue for leaving, surely? I will say that I am disappointed in the number of people who headed for the exit. We demand a lot from the players, surely they have a right to expect our backing through good times and bad? There have been times when they have let us down on the pitch, during and after games but we have not given them the vocal support they deserve in every game either.

A weeks rest for most, Rosicky was sorely missed last night and should be back for Villa. Henry won’t be, out for a couple of weeks according to Arsene, the rest of the season according to the Press. But the season continues – remember it ain’t over ’til the Fat Lady sings.