An Arsenal side reeling from an unexpected loss in the Premier League takes on a Schalke side filled with confidence.
This week has been memorable for both Arsenal and Schalke but for very different reasons. Arsenal’s attack this season has gone through spells in which it has appeared ‘blunt’. Those spells weren’t taken seriously as they wouldn’t last long and because Arsenal has generally been great to watch this season.
Schalke meanwhile has never really looked blunt this season. Their problems have all come due to lack of concentration. They have given away points in matches they were winning easily. For Schalke, their match at the weekend against Borussia Dortmund was meant to be a test of their mental fortitude as well as maturity.
Arsenal took to the pitch on Saturday a few hours after Schalke’s Ruhr derby victory. Their attack managed to look blunt against a Norwich side which had been leaking goals recently. Norwich leaked four against Chelsea and five against Liverpool. However, Arsenal just could not cut through the Norwich defence sharply.
On the other end of the pitch, old problems resurfaced. A shot from distance was kept out by keeper Vito Mannone. Grant Holt pounced in on the rebound ahead of Per Mertesacker. The error was not really Mertesacker’s. The German international is not known for his speed. His defending is good because he reads the game well and positions himself well.
Arsene Wenger was visibly unhappy after the game. He knows his side must improve ahead of the visit of the Royal Blues.
Schalke meanwhile could have taken German champions Dortmund to the cleaners on enemy turf. Schalke was well organized at the back and did not allow a confused Dortmund (due to Jürgen Klopp’s attempt at fielding a 3-5-2) to register a shot on goal for the first 36 minutes.
By that time, Schalke was already a goal to the good thanks to Ibrahim Afellay. Early in the second half, Schalke added a second courtesy of Marco Höger. Dortmund did manage to get back in the game when they returned to using four at the back through Robert Lewandowski but never looked menacing enough to even snatch a draw.
Schalke was brilliant on the break but due to their wastefulness, they couldn’t score more. They also seemingly learnt their lessons from draws against Montpellier and Fortuna Düsseldorf and managed to keep their focus for ninety minutes. There is nothing better for Schalke fans than a victory over Dortmund. Schalke was still celebrating when Arsenal kicked off in Norwich.
For Schalke, the match will be on Lewis Holtby’s boot. For Arsenal, Santi Cazorla is the one who will try to control the midfield. In Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Schalke has a striker who can take apart any European defence with swagger. They will hope that Julian Draxler is fit for this one but there are others available in his absence. Afellay, after his display against Dortmund, might keep his spot.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Schalke
Schalke meanwhile has never really looked blunt this season. Their problems have all come due to lack of concentration. They have given away points in matches they were winning easily. For Schalke, their match at the weekend against Borussia Dortmund was meant to be a test of their mental fortitude as well as maturity.
Arsenal took to the pitch on Saturday a few hours after Schalke’s Ruhr derby victory. Their attack managed to look blunt against a Norwich side which had been leaking goals recently. Norwich leaked four against Chelsea and five against Liverpool. However, Arsenal just could not cut through the Norwich defence sharply.
On the other end of the pitch, old problems resurfaced. A shot from distance was kept out by keeper Vito Mannone. Grant Holt pounced in on the rebound ahead of Per Mertesacker. The error was not really Mertesacker’s. The German international is not known for his speed. His defending is good because he reads the game well and positions himself well.
Arsene Wenger was visibly unhappy after the game. He knows his side must improve ahead of the visit of the Royal Blues.
Schalke meanwhile could have taken German champions Dortmund to the cleaners on enemy turf. Schalke was well organized at the back and did not allow a confused Dortmund (due to Jürgen Klopp’s attempt at fielding a 3-5-2) to register a shot on goal for the first 36 minutes.
By that time, Schalke was already a goal to the good thanks to Ibrahim Afellay. Early in the second half, Schalke added a second courtesy of Marco Höger. Dortmund did manage to get back in the game when they returned to using four at the back through Robert Lewandowski but never looked menacing enough to even snatch a draw.
Schalke was brilliant on the break but due to their wastefulness, they couldn’t score more. They also seemingly learnt their lessons from draws against Montpellier and Fortuna Düsseldorf and managed to keep their focus for ninety minutes. There is nothing better for Schalke fans than a victory over Dortmund. Schalke was still celebrating when Arsenal kicked off in Norwich.
For Schalke, the match will be on Lewis Holtby’s boot. For Arsenal, Santi Cazorla is the one who will try to control the midfield. In Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Schalke has a striker who can take apart any European defence with swagger. They will hope that Julian Draxler is fit for this one but there are others available in his absence. Afellay, after his display against Dortmund, might keep his spot.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Schalke
