Arsenal-Lille: the decisive elite gunners, Giroud applauded, André shipwrecked… The tops and flops

TOPS

The decisive elite gunners

Long held in check on their lawn Tuesday evening, during the second day of the Champions League, the Gunners had to wait for the entry into play of their “fantastic three”, Saka, Ødegaard and Havertz, to break the Lille lock! On the bench at kick-off, the Arsenal captains were immediately involved in the three London goals, putting the northern defense through a real ordeal. Mikel Arteta's coaching changed everything. When the English heavy artillery entered the scene, LOSC was able to measure the gap which still separated it from the leaders of the continent. Implacable gunners.

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Giroud, an ovation worthy of his career

It was the emotional sequence of the evening: Olivier Giroud back in London, in front of his former supporters! Coming into play in the last minutes (79th), the former Arsenal center forward (2012-2018) was warmly acclaimed by the English fans, who gave him a superb ovation, before singing the famous song in praise of the former top scorer of the France team. A well-deserved recognition given the immense career of the current LOSC center forward, visibly very touched by the welcome he received at the Emirates Stadium. Great class.

FLOPS

(Rather) dull evening in London

We expected better. Runners-up to the Monegasque leader in Ligue 1, Lille presented themselves with ambition at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening against the Gunners. But if the Mastiffs played their match for a long time before collapsing, the Londoners only really played half an hour in this meeting. Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta immediately made it clear that receiving the Northerners was not his team’s “priority” by reshuffling his squad. The Gunners' trip to Nottingham on Sunday, as well as the clash against Bayern next Wednesday in Munich, seemed to be favored by the Spanish coach. To the great dismay of the several thousand Lille supporters, who did not fail to make themselves heard in the London enclosure... The English fans were so calm that we could hear the players talking to each other on the pitch. And flies fly. A frustrating evening more than anything else.

Andrew shipwrecked

Unfortunately, at 36, age has taken its toll on the Lille captain. A high-quality player with an impeccable state of mind, Benjamin André was however completely overwhelmed in the midfield as soon as the Gunners put their foot on the accelerator. Numerous ball losses and technical inaccuracies put his team in difficulty on several occasions. But it’s hard to blame him given his unfailing dedication to the team…

Madueke frustrating

As (too) often, Arsenal right winger, Noni Madueke, alternated between the good… and the less good. Always incisive and impactful on his ball catches, the striker however wasted a lot on his crosses, annoying the Emirates Stadium until his exit (67th). “Couldn’t do better” sticks (unfortunately) really well to the English player…

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Gyökeres sluggish