Jamie Carragher has questioned the gulf in quality between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in possession during the Champions League final.
Up until the penalty conceded by Cristhian Mosquera in the 65th minute, Mikel Arteta’s team defended superbly well, and their game plan looked to be working.
Now that you’ve all had time to reflect, why did Arsenal lose the Champions League final?
However, whenever the Gunners had the ball, they looked unsure of what to do next, whereas PSG always looked dangerous with the ball.
Arsenal have had a magnificent season, and it’s difficult to question this team too much, but their display in Budapest does leave much to be desired.
Jamie Carragher questions Arsenal’s game plan vs PSG
Jamie Carragher has questioned Arsenal’s game plan against Paris Saint-Germain, slamming the team’s inability in possession.
The 2005 Champions League winner is unsure whether it was the manager’s instructions or a lack of quality as to why the Gunners could not keep the ball.
PSG had 75 percent possession for the Champions League final, and regardless of how Arsenal set up, they just never had enough of the ball to win the game.
Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher said: “Well, when you say you adapted, that’s been the criticism of Arsenal right throughout Arteta’s time, hasn’t it? This wasn’t a one-off game.
“This wasn’t like a tactical sort of setup that we’ve not seen before, and the question which remains around it is: Is it a handbrake on or a lack of top-class players?”
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Arsenal’s passing stats vs PSG were far too low
Arsenal’s passing stats were also rather embarrassing, as Declan Rice completed 31 passes, Myles Lewis-Skelly managed 12, and Martin Odegaard completed a measly six.
Compared to PSG’s midfielders, Vintinha managed 141, Joao Neves 79 and Fabian Ruiz completed 68; the difference was night and day.
“When you look at the first half, and I find it difficult to have a go at Arsenal because they won the league, you didn’t lose a game in the Champions League and you took PSG to penalties, but when I was watching the first half they didn’t create a chance, but I was watching it thinking you’ve still got to you’ve still got to make a few passes,” added Carragher.
“You’ve still got to have a bit of it (possession) if you’re the best team in England and they’re the best team in Europe, there shouldn’t be such a gulf between the ideas with the ball.
“It was only one setting in the first half, and I saw Myles Lewis-Skelly get the ball, and he ran through midfield. He played it wide, and I thought, I know you’re not going to dictate the game.
“They’re better than you. I get that, but it shouldn’t be such that you couldn’t keep the ball for two passes. Now you’re on the edge of your own box. A Champions League final shouldn’t be like that.”
Going into the summer transfer window, Arsenal need to get better quality in attack and cannot afford another season of relying on their defence.
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