So our first taste of the Europa League Group Stages has ended and we have eased into the next round as group winners.
While thrashing Champions League regulars BATE Borisov was nice, probably the most telling games were the double header against Red Star Belgrade. A hard fought 1-0 win in Serbia and then a war of attrition at the Emirates showed the limitations of the shadow squad as well as the toughness the better sides in the competition have.
The 1-0 defeat at Cologne had all the signs of complacency and disinterest after already securing progress.
The group stage was always going to be a chance for the squad players to get game time. Olivier Giroud, Mohamed Elneny, Rob Holding and Ainsley Maitland-Niles all started every game, while Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott started 5.It also allowed Mathieu Debuchy to come in from the cold and he was very steady at the back, before adding a goal last night.
The youngsters also got a look in. Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock both started 3 games, Eddie Nketiah made 4 sub appearances and the likes of Matt Macey, Ben Sheaf and Marcus McGuane all made their debuts.
One frustration is that Nelson - and Ainsley Maitland-Niles - played out of position and didn't really get the chance to play to their strengths.
The draw is on Monday, with the likes of Dortmund and Napoli potential opponents. 3 French teams (Lyon, Nice and Marseille), our old enemy Celtic, Real Sociedad, surprise package Ostersund, Copenhagen and a handful of Eastern European clubs also sit in the unseeded section of the draw.
Europa League Group Review.
posted on 8/12/17
The fact that we've qualified with relative ease playing close to a second string throughout is great for the confidence of those players and ensuring that our first XI stays fresh. With premier league matches coming thick and fast, hopefully we'll see the benefit of this early season rotation.
It's a shame that there hasn't been 6 really good performances with numerous players knocking on the door of getting into the first team. Wilshere has looked promising in spells and it would be good to see him get more minutes with better players.
I'm also pleased for Debuchy and wouldn't be completely against him getting the odd game in Bellerin's place just to let Bellerin know he's got some competition this season.
posted on 8/12/17
In relation to the draw, an easier tie would be nice where you'd hope we can still use the same group of players with perhaps a bit more strength on the bench.
posted on 8/12/17
Hope we get an easy draw so we can keep playing some youngsters. Although given our luck with Euro draws we'll get Napoli.
posted on 8/12/17
comment by The Candlestick Maker (U8959)
posted 2 hours, 14 minutes ago
I'm also pleased for Debuchy and wouldn't be completely against him getting the odd game in Bellerin's place just to let Bellerin know he's got some competition this season.
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Spot on, Debuchy can do a solid job at RB. Bellerin needs competition not to take his place for granted and improve his performance. Debuchy is more experienced and had it not been for the freak injuries he would have probably been first choice RB.