The iconic Champions League moment that’s BAD news for Arsenal

Anatoliy Trubin produced one of the iconic moments of any Champions League group stage as the goalkeeper’s diving header put Benfica through to the playoff round, but this spectacular moment has come as something of an indirect blow to Arsenal.

Trubin’s heroics saw the Benfica bench empty, with the Ukraine goalkeeper putting them 4-2 ahead of nine-man Real Madrid during stoppage-time of stoppage-time in Lisbon.

It was a goal felt hundreds of miles away in Brugge, where Marseille had slipped to an embarrassing 3-0 loss to leave their hopes of progression hanging in the balance.

Before kick-off, Roberto De Zerbi’s side were reckoned to have a 96% chance of qualification, according to Opta.

Trubin’s header defied the numbers to knock OM out.

The knock-on effect at Stade Velodrome is set to be profound. Ever a powder-keg atmosphere on France’s Mediterranean coast, the pressure has suddenly ramped up on the team.

What had been expected to be a run to the playoffs at worst suddenly means that OM have been left with a squad big enough to handle the rigours of Champions League football but without the competition to play in.

Nwaneri could be collateral damage at Marseille

Ethan Nwaneri, who joined Marseille from Arsenal on loan last week, is one who could suffer.

“For Arsenal, it’s about his contribution to the game, and for the player, it’s a step in his progression and the fact of being coached by Roberto,” Marseille president Pablo Longoria explained to The Telegraph when asked to discuss the logic behind the loan deal.

Ultimately, the 18-year-old is in France to gain first-team exposure. His start last week against Lens was highly promising as he bagged a stunning debut goal, but he will now need to consistently hit such heights to win minutes.

Marseille’s presence in Europe guaranteed squad rotation, and with it meant that Nwaneri would get the pitch time that Mikel Arteta craves for him. Without the Champions League, there is little such need.

A battle for game time

Nwaneri stepped in for the rested Mason Greenwood against Lens, but it promises to be tough to replace the former Manchester United man on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, his prospects of playing more centrally are complicated. OM have signed Quinten Timber to fill that role, and it would send a poor message to the Dutchman if he were to be dropped for a player only on loan until the summer and who the club has admitted they have no need to sign.

A clash against PSG a week on Sunday has taken on particular importance. If Marseille lose that, they are effectively out of the title race, leaving them simply to fight for a top-three finish that will guarantee a return to the Champions League next season.

What they really expected was an ongoing presence in this competition this time around, providing them with opportunities to rotate their squad and giving Nwaneri the opportunities to shine that both he and Arsenal want.

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