For more than an hour last night, the man who led England into oblivion was threatening to do the same to Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for their 11th successive Champions League campaign.
But just when McClaren was daring to dream of outwitting the great Arsene Wenger, his bubble was burst by the kind of sloppy defending which proved his undoing as an international coach.
Chased out of the country after 15 miserable months as England boss, McClaren is now looking to rebuild his battered reputation in Holland.
But even he could not have imagined it would take him just one match to go from the Wally with the Brolly to the Man with the Plan.
McClaren must have thought someone up there had it in for him when his first competitive match as FC Twente coach pitched him into direct opposition with Le Professor.
After all, the last time their paths crossed McClaren’s Middlesbrough team were buried underneath a 7-0 thrashing at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal on this occasion, though, were a very different proposition to that Thierry Henry-inspired team of January 2006.
With his squad decimated by the absence of nine key players, Wenger was forced to rely on his kids to do a man’s job.
The 17-year-old Aaron Ramsey was handed his Arsenal debut in place of injured Cesc Fabregas and fellow teenager Theo Walcott also landed a place in the youngest midfield Wenger has ever fielded.
With a �20million windfall hanging on qualification for the Champions League, it was a bold gamble by the Arsenal chief. Yet he had no other option.
And, for much of this testing first leg in Arnhem, it looked as if the Gunners would pay the price for failing to strengthen their squad with major signings this summer.
Wenger knew his young rookies were going to face a huge test of their nerve. What he could not have been expecting was a flash of inspiration from McClaren.
For McClaren had identified Robin van Persie as Arsenal’s danger man and assigned the powerful Cheik Tiote to shadow his every move.
If only he had employed the same tactic when Croatia’s Luka Modric came to Wembley last November, he might still be working for the FA today.
With Van Persie under lock and key, Twente were quick to take advantage of the visitors’ nerves.
When Walcott lost the ball cheaply in his own half after 17 minutes, the speedy Eljero Elia bore down on goal.
While Manuel Almunia raced out to block, it still needed Bacary Sagna’s clearance to deny Twente the lead their early efforts deserved.
McClaren knew his team had to capitalise on their domination and another glorious opportunity went begging in the 24th minute.
This time Denilson allowed Romano Denneboom a free run at goal. Fortunately for the young Brazilian, Denneboom blasted his shot hurriedly over the bar.
Ramsey relieved the pressure with Arsenal’s first shot after 31 minutes. But his optimistic effort from distance was high and wide.
Just when Arsenal were beginning to look like a team who would happily settle for the draw, they claimed a crucial 63rd-minute lead. William Gallas was allowed to turn in Van Persie’s free-kick at the near post.
Twente’s fate was sealed eight minutes from the end. Walcott’s low cut-back was bundled in by Emmanuel Adebayor.
McClaren knew the game was up. The fixed grin had given way to that familiar look of resignation.
Oh well, Steve, it was nice while it lasted.
FC Twente: Boschker, Wielaert, Tiote, Franco, Braafheid, Wilkshire, Brama, Arnautovic (Gerritsen 90), Janssen (Heubach 90), Elia (Huysegems 86), Denneboom. Subs Not Used: Paauwe, Zomer, Wellenberg, Chery. Booked: Janssen.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Ramsey, Denilson, Walcott (Randall 84), Adebayor, Van Persie (Bendtner 88). Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Wilshere, Hoyte, Gibbs. Booked: Denilson, Van Persie.
Att: 20,000.
Ref: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain).
Source: TheSun
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