By Matt Barlow for the Daily Mail
Published: 22:24 BST, 2 May 2019 | Updated: 22:37 BST, 2 May 2019
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When Arsenal last emerged triumphant from a campaign in Europe it was all about their miserly defence and a thirst for a clean sheet.
It will be 25 years ago on Saturday since that night in Copenhagen when Alan Smith stunned Parma and George Graham’s defensive solidity did the rest.
Graham’s team conceded only three goals in nine games on the way to winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994, a journey which ground along to a chorus of “One nil to the Arsenal”.
Mouctar Diakhaby exposed Arsenal's defensive frailties to head home in the 11th minute
Unai Emery’s team have been finding it hard to make it through one game without leaking this many and the result was a first half last night when the Emirates Stadium shook with nerves and gasped in anticipation of individual errors.
They roared their approval as Shkodran Mustafi properly leathered an old-school clearance before half time and cheered again for Sokratis when the found the top tier of the stands after the interval.
All of which probably eats at confidence and amplifies the problem with Mustafi and Sokratis so desperate to help they charge into tackles they don’t need to make.
Caution rarely gets the better of them.
The fans roared their approval at old-school clearances by Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis
Fortunately for all concerned, there are enough goals at the sharp end of this team to compensate and a manager who knows what it takes to win the Europa League.
Alexandre Lacazette spun the tie on its head before the interval and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
