2. A tale of two polar-opposite strikers
For all the pre-match talk of Monaco’s defense and Arsenal’s home record, this was always going to be a clash of two talented strikers. One look at the numbers will tell you that this looked like a foregone conclusion. After all, Berbatov has been far from prolific this season. In fact, he hadn’t scored in his last four games and this was his first Champions League goal of the season. But yet, when the moment came, he had the composure to calmly slot the ball home. From then onwards, the Bulgarian striker held the ball up beautifully and gave his side an outlet up front, which the visitors made utmost use of.
But at the other end, Olivier Giroud once again showed his inadequacies when it comes to leading the line, which led to him duly being substituted before the hour mark. Although the Frenchman holds the ball up well and brings others into play, inside the box, he is nowhere near as clinical as a striker for Arsenal should be. On Wednesday, he wasted not one, not two, not three, but four really good opportunities to score. Two of which were from close range, the other was a free header and the final one was an open goal from just outside the six-yard box. Defensive mistakes aside, the difference between the two sides was their ability in the opponent’s penalty area.