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Arsenal 1-1 Slavia Prague: 3 things learned as Arsenal concede late equaliser going into second leg

By Megan Garbutt

Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette reacts after missing a chance during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg football match between Arsenal and Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 8, 2021. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette reacts after missing a chance during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg football match between Arsenal and Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 8, 2021. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel (L) challenges Slavia Prague’s Senegalese striker Abdallah Sima (R) during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg football match between Arsenal and Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 8, 2021. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel (L) challenges Slavia Prague’s Senegalese striker Abdallah Sima (R) during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg football match between Arsenal and Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 8, 2021. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /

I could easily use this third talking to point to highlight the issue of Arsenal conceding late in games, but I want to talk about some of the individual defensive performances which stood out to me.

The first one was Holding, who looked really brave on the ball and really let himself get forward carrying the ball into the final third, which isn’t something you always see him doing, but it seemed to work well and if it’s something that will build his confidence then that’s brilliant.

The Englishman attempted eight long balls during the 90 minutes, only one of which was accurate but the 25-year old put in a solid performance that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Defensively, Holding also looked very comfortable in the backline and in fact he didn’t lose a single ariel or ground duel from the eight situations in both categories combined.

Holding also made two interceptions and nine recoveries and overall had a very good game in red and white.

Holding is always perceived negatively and positively on social media but for someone who has had some very solid and consistent games at centre-back, especially this season, you have got to give him credit for the effort he’s put in.

Centre-back number two Gabriel was the other defender who really stood out to me in this performance and I believe you can see the player he was at the start of the season where he won a few player of the month awards.

Gabriel completed a brilliant five accurate long balls out of an attempted eleven, with the most completed long balls putting him above anyone else on the pitch.

The Brazilian also made 13 recoveries, as well as two interceptions and two clearances and he overall put on a solid display in the back-line.

He made a very important clearance towards the end of the second half to deny Slavia Prague having a shot on goal and even started some of the attacking moves during the game, a thoroughly enjoyed performance from the young centre-back.

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