The Grondona family built Arsenal de Sarandí and now Julio Grondona’s son, Humberto faces the task of keeping the club in the Primera División. With only one win all season, judging by Friday’s capitulation against Patronato there has been little improvement after the break and survival will be a struggle.
Patronato flew out of the blocks in Paraná and deservedly led after seven minutes when Damián Arce drilled the ball past Fernando Pellegrino from the edge of the box.
Minutes later and it was two when Matías Quiroga was left unmarked from a corner and duly volleyed the ball into the net from close range. Two down inside quarter of an hour, injury forced off the probably grateful Pellegrino as the momentum remained with Patronato.
Arsenal were provided a glimmer of hope on the stroke of half time when Fernando Telechea was shown a straight red card for a rash tackle and with a man advantage after the break the visitors woke from their slumber.
Juan Sánchez Sotelo headed a goal back on the hour mark and when Claudio Corvalán slid in an equaliser ten minutes from time, the visitors looked the more likely winners.
However, barely a minute after drawing level an aimless ball upfield found the head of second half substitute Gabriel Graciani and with goalkeeper Pablo Santillo in no man’s land the ball drifted over his head and agonizingly into the net.
Behind again, Arsenal then had Jonathan Botinelli sent off for a second yellow card and with the numbers even, Patronato sealed victory. Alejandro Gagliardi dashed clear and emphatically finished past Santillo to end the contest.
Arsenal remain just outside the bottom four but will be among the relegation favourites on current form.
golazo argentino 