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After a very good performance in the first half, Rapid took the lead shortly after the break through Taxiarchis Fountas (51st). This was preceded by Bernd Leno’s first porter mistake of the night. Arsenal turned the game around with a header from David Luiz, which the speedy goalkeeper Richard Strebinger had flown past. The noble “Joker” Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang decided the game (74th).
In the Group B side match, Molde turned the game around against Dundalk (IRL) and also won 2-1. In a week, the Hütteldorfer will be invited to the Norwegian champions on Thursday (9pm).
Highlight the game in the return
After a season break, Rapid returned to the Europa League and welcomed a renowned London club in Vienna-Hütteldorf at the start of the eighth group stage with Arsenal. Despite the long history of both clubs, it was the first meeting in a competitive match. The downside: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, only 3,000 spectators were allowed into the Weststadion, as Rapid’s stadium operates in UEFA competitions.
In his 80th fast-coaching competitive game against the 19x market value Gunners, Dietmar Kühbauer relied on a basic order of 3-5-2, which changed to 5-3-2 against the ball. . . Almost identical in terms of personnel, they defeated LASK 3-0 in the league in early October. Marcel Ritzmaier replaced Thomas Murg, who in the meantime had moved to PAOK Saloniki. Barnsley’s loan made his home debut after two Cup goals. Rapids great talent Yusuf Demir had to pass due to illness.
When facing the opponent, coach Mikel Arteta forgave some of his players in the smaller competition of the European Cup. The former student of star coach Josep Guardiola changed six positions compared to the 1-0 defeat at Manchester City, for example, star forward Aubameyang first took a seat on the bench. With German international Leno in goal, Brazilian defender David Luiz or French forward Alexandre Lacazette, there were still renowned players in a high-quality starting lineup despite all the changes.
Rapid tugs on Arsenal’s nerves before the break
In front of the few, but motivated fans, a first half developed in which the guests should have just under 70 percent possession at the end. But the local Viennese held off their opponents on defense and were able to put punctures up front. Rapid also gave up respect at the start of the match, prompting a “Gurkerl” from Fountas against Luiz and applause from the stands. In the left half, Ritzmaier made a successful home debut.
When the green and white conquered the ball, he headed quickly and purposefully towards Leno. Kara caused danger for the first time with a shot that went over the goal, but referee Pavel Kralovec of the Czech Republic had previously decided a foul by the striker (10th). Quick goalkeeper Strebinger was challenged with a header from Luiz after a free kick (15th). The Hütteldorfer was agile, but also elegant: after a Fountas “Fersler”, the ball reached the Ritzmaier through Kelvin Arase, who also finished with the heel. The leather deflected slightly and landed in Leno’s arms (19th).
Arsenal quickly started strong newcomer Thomas Partey, worth 50 million euros, but Rapid defended well in the last third and forced the visitors to shoot from afar, like Nicolas Pepe’s (30th). Arsenal lost their appetite towards the end of the first half, they also received unnecessary yellow cards, so Rapid made one or another good play. A shot by Fountas after a solo run was too central in goal (35th), Kara moved to the left (43rd). A very good first half of the Rapid was recognized again with applause.
Fountas uses defensive errors to lead
The first minutes after the break were from referee Kralovec, who let an elbow from Eddie Nketiah, who was already loaded with yellow, go unpunished (46th) against Filip Stojkovic and Arsenal continued playing eleven. A hand by Bukayo Saka in the penalty area was also controversial (49th).
Rapid picked up where he left off after 45 minutes in the second half and kept trying to finish. Although shots from Fountas (47th) and captain Dejan Ljubicic (50th) from distance were well overhead, the latter should pay off seconds later. Because 38-year-old Spanish Arsenal manager Arteta is confident of consistent play, the 0: 1 error came up: Leno played the kick to Luiz, and after his back leg Kara splashed in the middle, the ball reached Fountas and the Greek pushed the cheers. Leadership against the favorite of the group (50th).
The only downside to the success story so far: Arsenal still had almost half the game left to correct the result. Arteta immediately sent Aubameyang and Héctor Bellerin to warm up. Meanwhile, the German goalkeeper in the case of Arsenal continued to show uncertainties, but this time Fountas could not take advantage of the ball capture after the failure of Leno (59th).
Compensation after a Strebinger misstep
A minute later Aubameyang and Bellerin came into play and Arsenal slowly approached the tie. But this should only fall after a set piece and a goalkeeper error on the other side: Pepe took a free kick from the right side just before the penalty spot, Strebinger came out all the way and seconds late to prevent Luiz head (70.).
The two goalkeepers were obviously infected with uncertainties, because Leno lost the ball again on an excursion, but Fountas could not capitalize on it again (73rd).
Aubameyang scores to win
In the end, Arsenal let their class shine again and turned the game around forever: Mohamed Elneny played a dream pass down the right half to Bellerin, who only had to cross to Aubameyang. Gabon’s world-class forward could not be asked twice (74th). Rapid tried until the final whistle, but Arsenal kept the Viennese away from their own goal. In the end, Hütteldorfer’s brave performance went unrewarded.
Voices for the game:
Dietmar Kühbauer (Quick coach): “We played at an incredibly good level and allowed very little. A draw would have been fairer, if it had. It was not possible to understand one or another decision of the referee. I am incredibly happy with the team, but I would have loved it if we had rewarded each other. At 1-1, Strebinger is too late, but that happens in football. Arsenal returned to the game with the first opportunity. “
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal manager): “Rapid were well organized and very committed. The goal we conceded complicated the game, but we reacted well. We had the opportunity to rotate and we are happy to have won. “
Europa League, Group B, matchday one
Thursday:
Fast – Arsenal 1: 2 (0: 0)
Vienna, Allianz Stadium, 3,000 spectators, SR Kralovec (CZE)
Sequence of objectives:
1: 0 Fountas (51.)
1: 1 David Luiz (70th)
1: 2 Aubameyang (74 °)
Quick: Strebinger – Stojkovic, Hofmann, Barac, Ullmann – Arase (79./Schick), D. Ljubicic, Grahovac, Ritzmaier (88./Knasmüllner) – Kara (76./Kitagawa), Fountas
Arsenal: Leno – Cedric (61./Bellerin), David Luiz, Gabriel, Kolasinac – Elneny, Partey, Saka (84./Tierney) – Pepe (93./Nelson), Lacazette (84./Willock), Nketiah (61./ Aubameyang)
Yellow cards: Grahovac, Arase, Kara, Ritzmaier or Lacazette, Partey, Nketiah, Leno
