Tall grass, strategic pitch watering, and a retracted penalty were insufficient to halt Arsenal’s momentum.
The team arrived at Estadio Metropolitano exhibiting a determination and strength that has sometimes been missing this season, positioning them tantalizingly close to their first Champions League final in 20 years.
Despite a season rife with criticism and scrutiny, the north London squad might just have the last laugh as the season concludes in May. Although much remains to be done, a dramatic resurgence seems possible.
Let’s revisit the antics. Arsenal lodged complaints with UEFA officials before the match regarding the grass’s height, foreshadowing the challenges ahead.
During halftime, it seemed the Spanish club strategically watered the section of the field Arsenal was defending more than the rest, leaving no tactic unexplored.
Arsenal were up to the task as they drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League
The Gunners had to deal with all sorts of dirty tricks from Diego Simeone’s side but stood firm
In days past, such underhanded tactics, combined with the chaotic energy of a crowd that littered the pitch with toilet paper before the game, might have rattled Arsenal’s composure.
Not anymore. It energised them. Even Eberechi Eze’s penalty, which was harshly overturned by the VAR, didn’t sidetrack the team. They were causing havoc in Atletico’s own backyard and leaving them to clean it up.
Noni Madueke played with a directness which, this time, didn’t involve running the ball out of play on multiple occasions.
He darted through early on and played a promising ball into the area, and had a strike whistle past the goalframe after shimmying past a few players.
Declan Rice put in lung-busting display across the pitch, showcasing both his defensive and attacking acumen.
But it was the performance of Viktor Gyokeres which made the biggest mark, because it was not expected.
His past failures to link-up with team-mates, who have been accused of not trusting him at times, and knack to go missing in matches has hurt the Gunners.
Maybe the news of Arsenal targeting Alvarez for this summer had ignited the Swede. Whatever the motivation, the forward played with ferocious intent. He made a fantastic early run to provide his captain Martin Odegaard a great opportunity to score, his shot blocked.
Soon after, he won Arsenal’s penalty after being pushed in the back by David Hancko. Again, he was in the right areas and causing problems.
A raucous home crowd launched toilet paper onto the pitch prior to kick-off on Wednesday
Despite the recent criticism he has faced, Viktor Gyokeres led from the front for the Gunners
The result was a penalty buried past Jan Oblak. Not in the corner, but powerful enough to fly past the goalkeeper.
It took his tally to 19 goals across all competitions. To put that into perspective, Bukayo Saka’s 20 goals in the 2023-24 season was Arsenal’s most-recent top scorer in a season.
Before that, it was Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s 29 strikes in the 2019-20 campaign. He receives a lot of flak, but Gyokeres has more than contributed in terms of output.
Alvarez struck a penalty of his own and looked sharp on the ball, Arsenal’s backline wary whenever the Argentine had the ball.
David Raya was required to make a solid stop on 15 minutes, Alvarez having used neat footwork to make space and shoot at goal.
Yet, he didn’t overshadow Gyokeres on a night where the Swede was overlooked before kick-off.
He deserves credit for this. The occasion did not get to him. And thanks to Gyokeres, Arsenal are well on track for a place in the Champions League final. That is some feat.
