You could say that it was harsh on the Gunners to go in behind at the break, but we failed to take our chances and the home side did, right on the stroke of half-time with a free header from a free kick given away by Monreal on the left.
It was not the only chance they had either, with some more sloppy defending allowing them to get down both flanks and produce dangerous balls in. Arsenal also had good chances to op0en the score, though, with a brilliant save denying Mkhitaryan in the opening minutes and Lacazette fluffing a great headed chance midway through the half.
Arsenal had more than 70 percent of possession in the first half but only managed a single shot on target and it had to improve after the break. Well it did not improve for Arsenal in any way. While we had looked dangerous before we now looked predictable.
There were some good pieces of play but the final ball was almost always astray. At the same time the Arsenal defenders were being pressured into mistakes and there was never any real momentum created, never mind clear cut chances.
It was all very frustrating and perhaps that is why Lacazette lost his rag and swung an arm after being fouled. Whatever the reason, the outcome was a straight red card and that pretty much ended our faint hopes of a big finish.
Arsenal have it all to do in London to rescue this Europa League tie, and if there is not a huge improvement all round then we could be heading out.
Bob.