Rapid Vienna coach Didi Kuhbauer admitted that his side couldn’t deal with the ‘great quality’ of Arsenal during their 4-1 Europa League defeat at the Emirates, while speaking to Krone.
The Gunners players might have taken plenty of stick from their own supporters in recent years but, as Arsenal became the first Premier League club to welcome back fans after a nine month absence, it was surely no coincidence that the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and Ainsley Maitland-Niles chose last night to produce their finest performance of the season.
Lacazette looked disinterested and bereft of all confidence against Molde seven days ago. But, when Rapid Vienna came to town, he offered a timely reminder why he was named Arsenal’s Player of the Year as recently as 2018/19.
The Frenchman’s venomous long-range rocket gave Arsenal an early lead before Pablo Mari, Eddie Nketiah and substitute Emile Smith-Rowe completed the scoring in a performance full of verve and vigour – two attributes not often associated with Mikel Arteta’s side this season.
“I think the defeat is deserved. Unfortunately, we didn’t find our way into the game well and were 2-0 down after 20 minutes,” said Kuhbauer at full-time. “Then it’s difficult to come back.
“We didn’t trust ourselves too much towards the front and we didn’t defend as well as you have to defend against Arsenal. At 1-3, we had a brief moment but we destroyed ourselves with with the 1-4.
“Then you saw the great quality of Arsenal. We have to acknowledge that Arsenal are a very good team.”
For perhaps the first time this season, Arsenal actually played like the ‘very good team’ they are.
Reiss Nelson has sparkled throughout the Europa League group stages and produced two assists on Thursday, including a gorgeous first-time pass for Nketiah’s goal that would have made Mesut Ozil proud.
Interestingly, the England U21 ace was subbed off on the hour. Was Arteta resting him for the North London derby?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
