HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 0, ARSENAL 1
How apt it was that the last match in charge of Arsenal for Arsene Wenger would end in that most Arsenal of scorelines, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s first half strike sealed the Gunners’ first away points of the year in a 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town.
The John Smith’s Stadium was the venue for Arsene Wenger’s 1235th and final game in charge of Arsenal and Huddersfield Town, whose Premier League safety was confirmed after a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in midweek, after a scoreless draw at the Etihad against Manchester City were determined to give the Frenchman a good send off after his final bow to the travelling Gunners fans prior to the match.
Town made four changes from the side that drew at Chelsea, with Tom Ince, Alex Pritchard, Steve Mounie, and Florent Hadergjonaj coming into the side as Tommy Smith, Philip Billing, Rajiv van La Parra, and Laurent Depoitre stepped down.
Wenger left Jack Wilshere out of his final Arsenal squad while Mesut Ozil remained absent and Aaron Ramsay was named captain with Per Mertesacker on the bench.
The Terriers were determined to make a good start, and with three aeroplanes buzzing the John Smith’s Stadium trailing banners saying: “One Arsene Wenger – Arsenal Legend”, “Merci Arsene – We’ll Miss You Too” and late in the second half an independent banner read “Kroenke you’re next!!” it was the home side who looked the more likely to score until well after the 22nd minute when the whole stadium rose as one to their feet to celebrate Wenger’s 22 years in charge of the Gunners.
Steve Mounie’s header was saved on his goal line by David Ospina, after a deep cross from Florent Hadergjonaj while Pritchard’s delivery into the box proved equally as troubling to the Arsenal defence.
Tom Ince should have profited from one of Pritchard’s efforts but the winger, who has only scored twice this term, snatched at his shot and blazed over after 11 minutes, sending another one wide three minutes later under pressure.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was Arsenal’s main goal threat but he could only muster a tame effort early on and was robbed by Ince in one of his more dangerous moments.
Town were proving hard to break down for the visitors, a Henrikh Mkhitaryan free kick from 20 yards came off the stout Terriers wall while Aaron Ramsay could only slice a shot well wide from a corner routine that was cleared to him by Zanka.
Although the Gunners did pick up towards the end of the first half they were thwarted and stifled by the Terriers’ defensive performance.
And a slick move started by Henrikh Mkhitaryan saw Alexandre Lacazette’s through ball deflect to Aaron Ramsay whose quickly pinged in cross from the left was stabbed in from close range by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the far post in the 38th minute.
The Gabon striker’s 10th goal for Arsenal got them on their way but while the Gunners retained the upper hand in the second period the pace had notably dropped for a period.
The home crowd were encouraged when Hadergjonaj’s cross found Mounie in acrobatic mood with an attempted overhead kick.
Ince missed another golden opportunity to equalise after he was released by Prichard following a crossfield pass by Hadergjonaj – Ospina made the save and that was Ince’s last action after he was replaced by the more direct Laurent Depoitre in the 61st minute.
The Gunners were couldn’t rest as the Terriers picked themselves up and troubled them with crosses into the area and set pieces as they sought an equaliser.
Wenger made three changes to try and get a reaction from his players – with Danny Welbeck, Nacho Monreal and Ainsley Maitland-Niles coming in.
Town lost Mounie to injury, bringing on Philip Billing to replace him 12 minutes from time, and the Gunners started to take advantange of the tiring Terriers.
Jonas Lossl denied Lacazette after Mkhitaryan had put him through. Lossl also blocked a chance by Welbeck after Zanka had lost the ball, while Granit Xhaka’s long range effort flew wide of the goal.
Aaron Mooy’s 88th minute shot shaved the bar after Chris Lowe’s cross was controlled by Hadergjonaj with Town fans still applauding the introduction of veteran midfielder Dean Whitehead for Jonathan Hogg.
There was late drama for Town as a free kick deep into injury time by Mooy was headed goalwards by Depoitre but Ospina preserved the points with a fine save.
Huddersfield Town vs Arsenal MATCH FACTS
Huddersfield Town: Lossl, Hadergjonaj, Zanka, Schindler, Kongolo, Lowe, Hogg (Whitehead 87), Mooy, Pritchard, Ince (Depoitre 61), Mounie (Billing 79)
Huddersfield Town Subs not used: Coleman, Smith, Sabiri, Stankovic
Booked: Zanka 90+3
Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Kolasinac (Monreal 68), Xhaka, Ramsey, Iwobi (Maitland-Niles), Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang (Welbeck 67), Lacazette
Arsenal Subs not used: Macey, Mertesacker, Willock, Nketiah
Goal: Aubameyang 38
24,121 attendance at Huddersfield Town as they secure a 16th place finish in the Premier League