It was a different kind of Champions League result tonight for Arsenal. The Gunners started their European campaign with a hard fought 1-0 over PSV at Highbury.
I say different, because what we have seen from Arsenal over the years in Europe is either breathtaking football with plenty of great goals or a disappointing defeat or draw having been unable to find that little bit extra to break down a stubborn defence.
Tonight’s match started slowly but after about twenty minutes we had settled into our stride and started to create chances. We definitely looked like we were going to score, but then again, we always do. We’ve had to sit and tear our hair out for 90 minutes, waiting for the inevitable goal to come, and often it never does. Valencia at home in 02/03 was a perfect example.
But we did score this time. On 38 minutes, Thierry Henry’s long range shot was spilled by PSV goalkeeper Edwin Zoetebier and Robért Píres was following in to head the ball home from close range.
Sadly it was wrongly disallowed for offside. Was it going to be another one of those nights?
Just under five minutes later, nerves were calmed as Henry sprinted through the PSV defence and slid the ball in, looking for Patrick Vieira. The final touch, however, came off Brazilian defender Alex. Not that it mattered. We had the lead and we deserved it.
We were playing fantastic football and the visitors were not posing any real threat at all. They played very deep and didn’t create any good chances. Perhaps this was going to be one of those score-for-fun performances. We did indeed thrash this side 4-0 on their ground back in 02/03. The way we were attacking, a repeat was not unlikely.
The second half was a different story, though. We were now sitting deep and letting them attack us. We had the odd shot but we looked nervy and tired. A second goal seemed out of reach, as PSV came forward causing us all sorts of problems.
Was a late equaliser coming? Were we going to suffer more heartbreak in Europe having some so close yet again?
No. Not this time. Gooners everywhere breathed a sigh of relief as the final whistle blew at Highbury, after witnessing something new from our team in Europe.
As I said earlier, we tend to either blow teams away, (Arsenal 4 – 1 Leverkusen, PSV 0 – 4 Arsenal, Inter 1 – 5 Arsenal) or we fail to find that little bit of inspiration or luck that we need and get disappointing, frustrating and ultimately costly results, (Arsenal 0-0 Valencia, Arsenal 1-1 Ajax, Arsenal 1-1 Roma) but as we progress into the Champions League this season, we may well have finally found what we need to win the biggest trophy in Club Football.
After just one game, it is, of course, far too early to judge how we are doing, but I think we can find new hope and confidence from a result like this one. We were not at the level we have been playing at of late, but we held on and we got the all important 3 points. If we have found a way to get results in this competition without being at our sparkling best, then this could be our year, at last.