Arsenal vs PSG: The Elusive Key Is Pressure!

Arsenal were unable to keep up the pressure against PSG and it caused them to suffer a disappointing draw. So what is the illusive key to solve it?

Arsenal’s draw against PSG, for all its entertainment value and multiple subplots, was dominated by one theme. When the Gunners applied defensive pressure high up the pitch, the match went well. When they didn’t, they were on their heels and had trouble gaining and keeping possession.

Related: Wenger’s 10 Worst Signings Ever

Of course, it is always beneficial to force turnovers deep in the opposition’s zone, but it was especially crucial to do it in this game. When PSG was given space, they moved the ball to midfield with ease, made crisp passes, maintained possession, and created chances.

That was the story of the first half prior to Olivier Giroud’s stoppage time goal—which, not coincidentally, was made possible by his alert defense, with the help of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, who were positioned to take advantage of Giroud’s poke-check because each had just pressured a PSG player.

Arsenal came out with much greater energy in the second half, and it was energy with a purpose. They played with a defensive tenacity that we’ve seen on more than just a few occasions this season, though mostly only in spurts.

The Gunners pressed, clogged passing lanes, and consistently ganged up on the ball. Besieged PSG players struggled to gain full possession, and when they did, they were pressured into making hurried passes. Many were deflected or intercepted.

Drawing on that defensive energy, the players in red quickly pounced on PSG’s defense before it could get organized. They looked dangerous. Arsenal’s second goal was lucky, but not unearned. They had been dictating play and applying pressure. On the scoring play, the box was crowded with Gunners.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

Every other mode of attack was muted, if not futile. In the absence of Santi Cazorla—an absolute joy to watch but perhaps not fully appreciated until he is out—the Gunners had trouble moving the ball up the pitch.

Francis Coquelin’s defense is welcome against an offensively talented opponent, and Aaron Ramsey’s runs upfield can cause a defense fits (unfortunately, they can cause fits for the Gunners’ defense as well!), but neither player is a sure-footed, consistently incisive passer.

When that element is missing, several things tend to happen, all of them undesirable: a low-percentage pass gets picked off; a pass connects, but not in a way that allows the ball to move upfield quickly; or the ball is fed back to the keeper, who lumps it forward.

Perhaps Arsene Wenger started Giroud because he anticipated such difficulties, but kicking the ball long was mostly ineffective. David Ospina played a fine game, but he often booted the ball too early, before the Arsenal players were in position upfield.

Next: Arsenal's 30 Greatest Players Ever

It is unrealistic to play a swarming, high-pressure defense for 90 minutes, but in this match, given the opponent and the Arsenal players on the pitch, it would have behooved the Gunners to start the game with the harassing defense they displayed in the first 25 minutes of the second half.