2020SL1 MD13 #7 Arsenal v #4 Atletico Madrid

Super League MD13

MD13 – [7] ARSENAL V. [4] ATLETICO MADRID [0-2]
ALL TIME RECORD: ARSENAL 14G 7W-5L-2D; 20-15 GF/GA

ATM – Moussa Dembele [7] 32’
ATM – Luis Suarez [9] 90’+
ATM – Jose Maria Gimenez YC 10’

There was a scheduling change this week, with this match displacing FCB/MUN for the Saturday night slot. The question being asked again: are Arsenal for real? On paper the reply should be no, this club is still too far way in too many key areas to presume even a top half of the table finish is a likely outcome. The results however speak much differently, the year began as expected, after 5 games Arsenal were 14th with a mere 4 points. Since then they have taken 15 of the available 21 points, a strong run for anyone in this league. Tonight brings a big test to their home ground, title contender Atletico invade the Emirates for one of the best matchups of the week.

Arsenal looked every bit the bully owning the opening 25+ minutes with 5/2 shots to Atletico’s 0/0. GK Jan Oblak was his usual stellar self in denying the two golden chances set forth by Arsenal, at other times the shots were off target enough to not cause concern. After this run the momentum swung to Atletico with a blistering 3 shots, all on target, in a 3 minute span.

Moussa Dembele, having been denied by a spectacular save in 29th, put Atletico up 1-0 in the 32nd after heading home a cross from Carrasco. Arsenal responded with a heavy attack toward the end of the half resulting in 3/1 shots from the 44th through the whistle, but Oblak stopped Aubameyang’s effort and we went to break 0-1 ATM.

Arsenal had their best effort to equalize in the 54th, a near-post blast from Lacazette stopped by Oblak easily enough, thereafter they managed only one more attempt and it was off-target. Shots overall declined, though it was not as bad for Atletico.

As the Arsenal offense disappeared, Atletico pushed one last goal across in extra-time, Luis Suarez nailed his 9th of the year to seal the big road win and really put the squeeze on at the top of the table, currently sitting 2nd and trailing Liverpool by 3 points, though obviously other clubs have yet to play.

A disappointing finish for Arsenal, but they can be pleased with their effort tonight, they hung with one of the best for the entire match and it was great to see the Emirates back in prime-time, an intense atmosphere with their crowd making noise has been absent for a long time. While they are not quite contender-status, Arsenal should make quite a bit of trouble for others.

MD14: Madrid Derby! Atletico host Real; Arsenal travel to Lazio