Slavia Prague coach Jindrich Trpisovsky admits that the Czech champions struggled to contain Alexandre Lacazette and Emile Smith Rowe during their Europa League draw at Arsenal, speaking to the club’s website.
Well, Mikel Arteta’s oh-so inconsistent side only have themselves to blame.
To say Arsenal had enough chances to put the tie to bed – before Tomas Holes’ dramatic 93rd minute equaliser – would certainly be an understatement.
Bukayo Saka wasted a glorious first-half opening, Willian struck the post with a free-kick while Gabriel Martinelli and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed the target when well-placed.
Most of the blame, however, will be shoved onto the sloping shoulders of Arsenal’s £52 million France international.
Lacazette not only clipped the bar when it looked easier to score after the break, he also sliced an inch-perfect Saka cross into the empty Emirates stands just minutes later.
But while the former Lyon captain seemingly left his shooting boots at home, he still caused plenty of problems for the Slavia defence with the sort of intelligent movement and wily link-play that he’s made his trademark in North London.
“Arsenal showed great quality in the first half, they have great players. They are terribly strong and well equipped with speed,” says Trpisovsky.
“We had problems with Lacazette, who went very deep for the ball and made room for the wingers.
“Arsenal has great offensive players. We saw the substitutions, players like Aubameyang, Martinelli and Pepe, who were very hungry.”
20-year-old Smith Rowe, meanwhile, impressed intermittently in the absence of Martin Odegaard, those Ozil-esque flicks and the odd half-turn shimmy leaving the Slavia defence red faced on multiple occasions.
“We have to improve next time. When you are locked in the final third of the field, they rotate perfectly, they are like fish in water and it is very difficult to defend,” Trpisovsky adds.
“Smith Rowe helped them a lot in the middle of the field.”
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