IT WAS ANOTHER frustrating experience for Arsenal as they went down to a 2-0 Champions League loss to Barcelona last night.
It all seemed rather inevitable and afterwards, Arsene Wenger gave his side a 5% chance of conjuring a kind-of miracle in the return fixture.
The biggest issue for him and the team’s supporters was the calibre of the finishing with Oliver Giroud and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain the biggest culprits.
Giroud, in particular, has come in for a steady flow of criticism today but not just because of his form in front of goal.
There was a key moment after 68 minutes when, with the scoreline still 0-0, the French striker found himself in an excellent position in the Barcelona area following a defensive error by Gerard Pique.
With Theo Walcott on his left shoulder and Alexis Sanchez positioned on the edge of the box, Giroud decided against taking on the shot himself.
Instead, he rolled a reverse pass…to nobody.
An exasperated Sanchez threw his hands up in the air while Giroud covered his mouth in disbelief.
Three minutes later, Lionel Messi opened the scoring.
The incident has been widely referenced throughout today as angry Arsenal supporters continue to vent.
