Arsenal vs. Marseille: 5 Things We Learned

Since we're all back to trusting Arsene Wenger, what do we make of Tuesday night?

Sure, beating Chelsea 5-3 over the weekend was nice. But does Arsene still know when it comes to Champions League qualification?

He probably does, mind you. Tuesday's scoreless draw at home against Marseille was ugly, but it was far from disastrous.

Through four matches, Arsenal still lead Group F and are still the favorites to advance as group winners.

But Arsenal did suffer a letdown from Saturday. That's understandable, though, considering how 5-3 wins at Stamford Bridge can turn into season-changing events.

What's harder to understand, though, is how Arsenal has played 180 minutes against Marseille over the last two weeks and scored just one goal.

That one goal, by the way, came in stoppage time two weeks ago in France. On Tuesday, Arsenal looked sluggish and lacked the creativity needed to create clear scoring chances.

For now, it doesn't matter—thanks in part to another towering performance by Thomas Vermaelen, a man who's becoming a myth so fast he must be poking himself to make sure he's still real.

It could matter later, though, like last year's failure to win the group turned into an early date with Barcelona.

And as we all know, this season, which over two months has gone from awful to no-so-bad to startlingly promising, hardly needs something so harrowing.

Thomas Vermaelen Is a Stud

We already knew that though, right?

Still, it's no coincidence that Arsenal kept a clean sheet—its sixth of the season in all competitions—Tuesday night. Thomas Vermaelen was in the lineup, and he looked like his old self.

Then again, it's also no coincidence that Arsenal's darkest hour—you know, 8-2—came when Vermaelen was sitting on the treatment table.

Robin van Persie is Arsenal's offensive talisman. But Thomas Vermaelen is Arsenal's defensive glue.

Vermaelen proved it again Tuesday. He was, as always, a beast of a defender. He helped Arsenal's defense limit Marseille to just one shot on target.

He towered in aerial challenges. He swooped in to intercept passes. He distributed with expertise. He ventured into the attack.

He was the best player on the pitch.

Now if only he can stay healthy…

Boring, Boring Arsenal Still Exists

The days of George Graham and one-nil to the Arsenal have been gone for ages. Sometimes—hey, like the beginning of this season—it feels longer than that.

But on Tuesday, Arsenal ground out a result—not the best one, mind you—when it had to. And that's more important than you might think.

After the weekend's big win over Chelsea, Arsenal had to guard against a letdown in the Champions League. It clearly happened, but while Arsenal didn't play well, a gutsy performance still ensured a draw.

That's a lot better than it could have been. Arsenal are still undefeated in Group F, and they are still the favorites to win the group.

All that is still true because boring, boring Arsenal made a welcome cameo.

The Signings Are Still a Mystery

Arsenal's summer signings have had a few months to settle. How are they doing?

It's still hard to know.

Gervinho—who signed before deadline day—played well and provided Arsenal's most consistently dangerous attacks in the first half. He faded after the break, though.

Andre Santos got into the attack throughout the match, finding all kinds of space down the left flank. His defensive frailties showed again, though.

Per Mertesacker played a nice game and looked more comfortable than he ever has in an Arsenal shirt. He can't seem to play as well in the Premier League, though.

Mikel Arteta played another solid game and has turned into an automatic selection in Arsenal's first 11. He's the only one of Arsenal's signings to do so, though.

Then there are Yossi Benayoun and Park Chu-Young. Benayoun looks like a sub and spot-starter at best. Park, based on Tuesday's performance, isn't ready.

Arteta and Song Could Form a Strong Partnership

Alex Song and Mikel Arteta started side by side as holding midfielders for Arsenal on Tuesday.

Song played physical football, as usual. He disrupted Marseille's flow and linked the defense with the attack.

Arteta stayed behind the attackers more so than usual. He didn't orchestrate Arsenal's offensive efforts the way he's capable of, but he organized the midfield and, like Song, linked well with both the defenders and attackers.

This could develop into a very strong central midfield partnership. But for that to happen, Arsenal needs a bit more creativity in the final third.

Robin van Persie has been Arsenal's offensive talisman lately. With van Persie starting on the bench, though, Arsenal struggled to create clear chances Tuesday.

Even when van Persie entered the match, Arsenal lacked the creative instinct necessary to forge the sublime.

That will have to change as Arsenal progress through the season.

Arsenal Missed a Big Chance

Arsenal would have qualified for the knockout stages with a win.

Instead, Arsenal now need a result against Olympiakos or Borussia Dortmund, or both.

Arsenal could yet rue Tuesday's result.