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At times like these, as the Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, gropes desperately for answers, he must be grateful for small mercies. At least there were no supporters present to witness this latest angst-ridden performance, which was scarred by another red card. At least his team scored for only the third time in nine Premier League games. At least they did not lose.
Make no mistake, Arsenal got away with one here. They were abysmal for the opening 30 minutes, when they trailed to a goal from their former winger, Theo Walcott and, having battled back to level through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s third of the league season, they were left to cling on after Gabriel got himself sent off for a foolish second yellow card on 62 minutes. It was yet another act of Arsenal indiscipline. Continue reading...