Arsenal Vs Huddersfield Town: Highlights and analysis – One last time

In Arsene Wenger’s final match as manager, Arsenal travelled to Huddersfield Town. Here is the full recap, all the highlights and analysis of the 1-0 win.

It wasn’t quite the performance that many were expecting from Arsenal in Arsene Wenger’s final match as manager. Though, given their form away from home throughout the year, and especially in 2018, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Nevertheless, despite Huddersfield Town’s dominance for much of the game, it was Wenger who recorded the victory as he sailed off into the sunset.

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It was a typical away-from-home performance by Arsenal in the first half. Lackadaisical in possession, loose in their defending, and lacking the necessary energy and busyness to match that of the home side, it was Huddersfield who were much the better team. Their chances were not necessarily the most clear-cut, but there general play, especially out of possession, was excellent, stifling the fluid passing moves that the Gunners attempted to put together.

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There were several cases when David Ospina had the ball with no teammates to pass to, with David Wagner implementing a high-pressing, man-to-man style that Arsenal could not work their way around or through. And chances came as a result.

Tom Ince blazed over after a lovely reverse pass by Alex Pritchard; Ince then shot high and wide after being sent in behind Shkodran Mustafi; Steve Mounie caused major problems aerially, with one of his headers from a corner teeing up Christopher Schindler, whose shot was blocked and then scrambled clear.

But as the half progressed, Huddersfield’s energy dropped, their pressing softened, and Arsenal were able to exert themselves with a greater effect. Aaron Ramsey’s runs in behind, rather than simply vacating the middle of the pitch and leaving Granit Xhaka stranded, began to pierce the Huddersfield back-line. Alex Iwobi started to play the ball forwards, rather sideways and backwards. Henrikh Mkhitaryan grew into the game, receiving more touches in advanced positions as he drifted in from the right flank.

And indeed, Arsenal did break the deadlock It was a lovely flowing move. Mkhitaryan and Lacazette combined with a nice couple of passes, before the latter slipped Ramsey’s into the left channel, where the Welshman poked an outside-of-the-foot pass that rolled all the way across the face of the penalty area and to the feet of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a welcome recipient, who slid the ball home in trademark, poachers style.

It wasn’t really what Arsenal deserved. Huddersfield were the better team for large portions of the first half. But their clinical, ruthless streak in the final third was wonderfully evident, after being painfully absent for much of their travels this season. The quest for an away point in 2018 had started well.

The second half continued in very much the same manner as the first. Huddersfield, when they had the opportunity, pressed very well, and Arsenal couldn’t work their passing through the midfield zones, while also struggling with the size of Steve Mounie, and then Laurent Depoitre, who was introduced from the bench, in defence.

Arsenal struggled to deal with Huddersfield throughout the half, with Mounie and Depoitre causing all sorts of problems. Alex Pritchard fired a shot over the crossbar, Tom Ince forced David Ospina into an excellent save, tipping the low, fizzed shot around the far post, and the size and strength of Mounie forced Rob Holding into losing possession, only for the opportunity to be sounded out.

The game really began to open up in the closing stages, with both sides able to find space in the final third, though the final pass was lacking somewhat. Alexandre Lacazette should have scored when he was slipped through by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but Jonas Lossl stood tall to simply catch his cute chipped attempt. Then Danny Welbeck had his one-on-one foiled by Lossl after his powerful run saw him drive past several Huddersfield defenders.

Huddersfield continued to press for the equaliser, an equaliser that they desperately deserved, and came very close on two occasions in the final stages: In the 88th minute, when Aaron Mooy smashed a lovely, around-the-corner half-volley against the crossbar; David Ospina, in the closing stages, then saved a Depoitre header with an excellent save, gathering the ball at the second attempt.

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Arsenal were lucky to come away with the win here, and the performance does raise, or at least compound, many of the concerns regarding their away form. Nevertheless, this game was about Wenger and his end. I am desperately sad to see him go. He is a true credit to the club, an author of this beautiful game, and a man worthy of respect and celebration. For one last time, thank you, Arsene Wenger.

Highlights