Arsenal 0-0 Red Star Belgrade: 5 Talking Points

In the 4th game week of the UEFA Europa League group stage, Arsenal hosted Red Star Belgrade at the Emirates. The last time these two met, Arsenal ran out 1-0 winners in Serbia, after an 85th minute winner from Olivier Giroud.

Arsène Wenger has used the tournament to rest senior first-team players and give fringe players precious game time. Before the game, the Gunners sat 5 points clear at the top of the group, needing a point to confirm their place in the round of 32.

What followed was an affair void of much quality, Arsenal failed to get the better of their Serbian counterparts, as the game ended 0-0. The point means Arsenal have qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League, but it does not guarantee them to be group winners.

Here are 5 main talking points from Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Red Star Belgrade:

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#5 Red Star Belgrade more than hold their own

Red Star Belgrade currently sit 4 points clear at the top of the Serbian SuperLiga

For a team of Red Star Belgrade’s quality and standing to only concede 1 goal in 2 games against Arsenal, is a massive achievement. Not only did they restrict Arsenal’s creativity today, they arguably should have gone home with all 3 points.

Both Guelor Kanga and Richmond Boakye had 1-on-1 chances with Matt Macey, in which they lacked the composure to convert. The team from Serbia came to the Emirates, created more than the hosts, shut out the hosts and produced the better of the chances.

On top of that, Belgrade opened up Arsenal’s back three several times, as they exploited the acres of space behind the wing-backs.

The visitors completed 271 passes in the game, forced Arsenal to concede 4 corners and had 7 shots on goal. The draw leaves the Serbs 2nd place in Group H, 5 points behind leaders Arsenal. With the level of performance they showcased tonight, they’re almost guaranteed to qualify for and put up a fight in the latter stages of the tournament.

#4 Mathieu Debuchy continues his good form

Mathieu Debuchy won 100% of his aerial duels

For a man who has literally only played about 180 minutes of football this year, Mathieu Debuchy doesn’t look like he’s missed a step. In an unfamiliar right-centre-back position, the Frenchman did incredibly well to cover for the ever-attacking Reiss Nelson.

The 17-year-old is naturally a right winger, so his defensive work rate is not up to scratch yet, meaning Debuchy had to do the work of two men. He basically had to be a right-back and centre back at the same time, covering all the space down that flank.

The Frenchman contributed to all phases of play tonight. He completed an incredible 84 accurate passes, made 2 tackles, made 6 clearances, intercepted 1 pass and won a staggering 5 aerial duels.

It’s not just his commitment and hard work that was impressive, Debuchy’s positioning was astute and he gives Arsène Wenger another option for his shaky back three system. Granted, Red Star Belgrade aren’t the best of oppositions, but they’re good enough for us to gauge the Frenchman’s readiness for first-team football.

#3 Joe Willock impresses

Joe Willock wasn't dribbled past once against Red Star Belgrade

Alongside a rampant Francis Coquelin, Joe Willock did well to maintain composure at all times in the midfield. It wasn’t just his ability to calmly recycle possession across the defensive line, Willock also made several bursting runs from the middle. This is a side of the youngster we haven’t seen in his other appearances.

The 18-year-old successfully completed 100% of his take-ons, made 3 tackles, had 65 touches of the ball, created 1 chance and produced 40 accurate passes. Willock was an assured presence in the middle that timed his runs perfectly whilst also covering for the irrational positioning of Francis Coquelin.

In the three games Willock has played in the Europa League this season, he’s maintained an astonishing 89% passing accuracy. With mature performances like these, Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey will surely be looking over their shoulders in the near future.

#2 Matt Macey is here to stay

Mat Macey completed 12 passes against Belgrade

The 23-year-old was only given his first start for the club last month, but in his 2nd start of his Arsenal career, Macey kept his first clean sheet for the club.

In an interview with the club website, Arsène Wenger said that Matt Macey came to the club late, so his development has been stunted. But by the looks of it, Macey has grown by leaps and bounds since arriving at the club.

Tonight, the Englishman made three saves and came out to claim 1 cross tonight. Besides one miskick, Macey looked confident on the ball and comfortable with playing out from the back. On top of that, the 23-year-old made crucial saves that kept his teammates in the game.

The several times Belgrade were through on the goal, Macey’s massive physical frame clearly put off opposition players from hitting the target. With Petr Cech’s ability deteriorating by the day, Matt Macey’s recent emergence has come at the perfect time.

#1 Jack Wilshere blows hot and cold

Jack Wilshere completed 5 take-ons

Despite being left out of the England squad again, Jack Wilshere didn’t do much in this rare start to prove that decision wrong. The Englishman’s exclusion from the national team has been a hot topic over the past few months and his re-emergence in the Arsenal set up has only reignited that debate. However, against a mediocre opposition in Red Star Belgrade, Wilshere failed to impress.

It was only in the latter parts of the second half that the 25-year-old began to display the creativity we know he possesses. For the most part of the game, Wilshere was losing the ball in the middle, despite being given the attacking freedom to roam. The game needed Jack to take control of it and create chances for the forwards, but he didn’t.

Throughout the game, Wilshere had 70 touches of the ball, made 45 passes, only created 3 chances and was dispossessed 2 times. All in all, Wilshere had a mixed game that will be seen as a missed opportunity for him to permanently cement his spot in the first team.

Seeing as he played the full 90 minutes tonight, it’s guaranteed that Wilshere won’t be playing against Manchester City on Sunday, meaning the Englishman will carry on playing in cup competitions.