Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Atletico Madrid: 5 things we learned – Brilliant and brittle

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final leg one match between Arsenal FC and Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final leg one match between Arsenal FC and Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 26: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid goes past Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal on his way to scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final leg one match between Arsenal FC and Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 26: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid goes past Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal on his way to scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final leg one match between Arsenal FC and Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

4. Defending, defending, defending

I don’t want to simply hark on the sole negative of this performance. There were certainly many good things, even with the numerical advantage factored in. But that does not excuse the defensive naivety of this team, even from three of its most experienced players.

The high line that was being played by Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny was outrageous and foolish. The positioning of Nacho Monreal, five yards behind the pair was even worse. But then the decision of Koscielny to allow Antoine Griezmann, Atletico’s primary and almost sole threat to scamper in behind him was criminal. Add in a mistimed slip by Mustafi, that certainly looked ugly and added to the calamitous image of Arsenal’s defending, and you have yourself a goal.

It’s not even surprising that this is an issue, though. That is perhaps the most concerning and painful element of all this. Is anyone shocked that Arsenal were let down by their defending? And so, like their game mismanagement, here we are again.