There are moments in a high stakes European tie that define a player's reputation. And then there are moments that define a defender's nightmares. For...
There are moments in a high stakes European tie that define a player's reputation. And then there are moments that define a defender's nightmares. For Arsenal's Yerson Mosquera, this was the latter. With Paris Saint Germain pushing for an equaliser, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian magician who torments full backs for fun, decided to run directly at the heart of the Arsenal backline. Mosquera, caught flat footed and scrambling, lunged desperately. It was never going to end well.The contact was clumsy, unnecessary, and frankly naive at this level. Kvaratskhelia, who had already begun to wind up for a shot, felt the tap on his heel and went down as if he had been clipped by a sniper. The referee pointed to the spot immediately, but we all know how these things go these days. Cue the VAR check, the slow motion replays, and the collective holding of breath. Yet there was no controversy here. The official's initial call was correct. Mosquera had bottled his one on one duel and paid the ultimate price.Up stepped Ousmane Dembele. If you want a man for the big occasion from twelve yards, the Frenchman has ice water in his veins when it matters most. With the Parc des Princes holding its breath, he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. A cool, clinical finish into the bottom corner. The scoreboard read 1. 1. The balance of power in the tie had shifted in an instant. Now, Arsenal have to reshape their defensive plan. Because if you give Kvaratskhelia that much space to run into again, he will eat you alive.
