Arsenal found themselves embroiled in yet another contentious VAR decision as they faced Aston Villa at Villa Park. Despite John McGinn giving Villa a 1-0 lead with a goal orchestrated by Leon Bailey, the match’s narrative could have shifted had Bukayo Saka converted an early chance. Saka’s exploit off Lucas Digne prompted criticism from Jamie Carragher, who deemed the Frenchman “a lucky boy” for momentarily switching off, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance on the pitch.
Digne faced a challenging first half against Saka, winning only 50% of duels and notably not attempting a single tackle. This aligns with his season-long trend, ranking in the bottom 11% for tackles won per 90 minutes among Premier League fullbacks. His infrequent attempts to challenge dribblers hindered Arsenal’s defensive efforts against Saka’s advances. Digne also struggled in intercepting passes, ranking in the 38th percentile for passes blocked per match among his positional peers. A deficiency in blocking shots further highlighted his defensive limitations.
Despite defensive lapses, Digne’s impact in possession was limited, with only 14 touches and six passes attempted, completing 71% of them. His unsuccessful crossing attempts and a futile free-kick highlighted a potential need for more dynamic offensive contributions.
The suggestion arose that Unai Emery might consider replacing Digne with Alex Moreno in the second half to bolster the left-back position. This strategic move could enhance Aston Villa’s defensive solidity against Saka and maintain their lead in the pursuit of Premier League glory.
VAR controversy continued to be a talking point as Arsenal faced another potential setback, adding fuel to the ongoing debate about the technology’s impact on match outcomes. The match’s dynamics, coupled with Digne’s defensive struggles, raised questions about Emery’s tactical choices in pursuit of victory.
