Arsenal 1 – 3 Bayern Munich
0 – 1 Kroos (7)
0 – 2 Muller (21)
1 – 2 Podolski (55)
1 – 3 Mandzukic (77)
Booked: Just about everyone
The scoreline might reflect the fine margins upon which professional football is built but nobody can have any complaints about the outcome; Arsenal were undone by an efficient performance from Bayern Munich. To progress to the next round will require a performance which will rank as amongst the best in the club’s history in any competition. As the velvet tones of Peter Jones might have opined, Arsenal were given a lesson in European football last night. Bayern sat, watched and hit on the counter, exploiting space and taking their chances. Riding their luck as well, all the ingredients of the ideal away performance in knockout competition.
Post-match, Arsène reflected on the situation,
Let’s not hide the truth: it will be extremely difficult against a team of that quality. They didn’t play two finals in the last three years without that quality that we have seen tonight. We have to give our best there and hope that everything will go for us and hope that by the second leg we have built our confidence up a bit more to go into the game with the belief that will be needed.
It is as close to an admission of defeat as you will probably get; Arsenal have to hope that Bayern are overcome by arrogance in their situation. The evening started brightly enough with positive movement by Arsenal although no real threat on goal. Any hopes that Arsenal were going to take their highly-rated opponents were dashed on seven minutes as Muller exploited the narrowness of Vermaelen’s position, pulled the ball back agonisingly out of Ramsey’s reach for Kroos to coolly finished from the edge of the area.
Everything about it was a scrappy goal to concede, beyond Kroos’ shot. Possession was conceded cheaply, Bayern afforded too much space and the Arsenal defence were too deep, albeit forced quickly back by Muller’s run. In the lead up to this match, it would have been drilled into the squad about keeping a clean sheet, not being put into a position where they had to chase the game.
Arsenal retreated into their shells, rocked by events. Matters turned worse fifteen minutes later when Szczesny blocked van Buyten’s header and Muller prodded home from close range. Arsenal were reeling; the only course of action was to regroup and they did so, offering little in attack but denying any Bavarian probes in the interim.
As the half entered its final ten minutes, the home side showed they had regained their composure, Mertesacker’s effort from Wilshere’s free kick, was blocked; Arsenal had to score next. They nearly conceded as well, Mandzukic should have converted Lahm’s cross as half-time approached.
The team responded to the interval well, more purposeful in the opening phase of the second period. As Bayern enjoyed luck in the first half, Arsenal reciprocated with Podolski taking full advantage of slovenly marking in the visitors defence to nod home. It had the air of temporary respite as Kroos forced a good save from Szczesny with Javi Martinez going close from the ensuing corner.
Another chink in the armoury appeared when Theo Walcott’s cross was met on the full by Giroud. Inches either side of Neuer and the power had the visitors’ goalkeeper beaten; it was not though and the ball struck him, flying to safety. It proved to be a costly miss; Lahm scampered down the right and crossed, Mandzukic snaffling the ball into the net. Arsenal’s chances of a comeback were gone in the blink of an eye and the scuff of a boot.
But the gap between the two sides was more than a scuff of the boot. Bayern outthought Arsenal for large parts of the game, Arsène’s tactics anticipated and nullified but it was not just off the pitch where it happened. The Bayern players seemed to learn from mistakes whereas repetitively, Arsenal did not. Vermaelen as an example, was narrow on the centre backs all evening something exploited in the first and third goals. At the same time, Arsenal’s midfield were curbed in attacking exuberance as the wide German players dropped back to stifle routes which were being forged toward goal. The above quote from the manager alluded to Bayern’s quality; we saw that and my overall view is that they played within themselves, that had Arsenal intensified their performance, the Bundesliga leaders could have matched it.
Moreso than losing to Milan, this defeat has given Arsène plenty to think about, to work on before the coming Premier League clashes with Spurs and Everton, not forgetting the small matter of Aston Villa. Whilst it is cliched, the current three week spell is crucial to the rest of the season. And it has not begun at all well.
’til Tomorrow.
And how often do BM give up 3 goals at home ?
@Phil
This term they haven’t but this Arsenal could do it because most people don’t think they can. Not to mention we have players that can score goals in bunches. Theo, Podolski, Giroud they can all score 2-3 goals once they get rolling.
GOONERS WORLDWIDE I STILL BELIEVE AND SO SHOULD YOU!
Tnx C.
they are a bit like us then. Not in their blood to play that way. Good for us. Jack Santiago and Tomas will slice and dice
them .
Way to go C.
that is what I’m talking about.
killer attitude…
C, maybe if we were playing Hoffenheim instead of Bayern, I would have more hope. I commend you for sticking to your wishful thinking.
@Goonerkam and Phil
We will slice and dice them.
I truly believe no matter how naive or whatever that we will come out and win this leg and win this tie. We have all seen strange things happen when impossible is not even a possibility in this game of futbol we all love and hold dear to our hearts. So until that final whistle blows I will have faith and I will believe that we will win this tie.
André Santos scores for Gremio. Totally offside and somewhat unintentional.
@Mentalist
The important thing is that he scored. Even Messi has scored some offside unintentional goals.
Just remember he can score, go ask the Chavs.
I just read the funniest article I think I’ll EVER read.
Basically Pele (who is an outspoken supporter of Neymar being the world’s best player) has basically said Neymar doesn’t have enough international experience and hasn’t played up to his talent on the international stage. Pele went on to say basically he needs to learn how other teams play and how they will play against him. Further more that he is now the star of Brazilian futbol and the world and has played “just ordinary” for country. Fair enough if you really think about it and it has actually been discussed and is a major concern that Neymar hasn’t showed consistency and the same talent for country as he has for club(similar to what Messi and Ronaldo went through and both were criticized by some of the world’s greatest including Maradona, Pele, Beckenbaur and so forth).
Neymar’s agent hit back saying that Pele would basically be average at best in modern futbol and the only reason why he was and still is considered great is because the defenders back then were complete shit. Well if thats the case then defenders in La Liga must be complete shit and the defenders in Brazil must be complete shit as Messi and Ronaldo routinely score 1000 goals a season and Neymar scores 1000 goals a season.
Any comparisons of BM and ARSENAL must accompany comparing the structure of the respective leagues these teams play in.
the German league is far more a level playing field.
They have not until now nor in the future allow examples like Chelsea and man city to flourish or indeed take root there.
Can the EPL learn and model itself after the bundas leagues. CERTAINLY..
is there anything anything thing the ARSENAL organization can learn from bayern m model. PROBABLY THE OTHER WAY AROUND..
Lol C
sounds like trouble in paradise (Brazil)
Phil mcfaulty is not a journalist. He is a jackass,,
Fact
GK @4.18
Erm, the Germans are not more of a level playing field financially. You only have to look at the revenues Bayern generate compared to others, to see it is little different to the UK. Ownership models are a red herring in this comparison.
However, one thing to bear in mind when extolling the virtues of the Bundesliga is that whilst fans must own 50%+1 of the club, the other owners can make loans to the clubs to fund purchases, buy extortionate sponsorship deals and generally put money in through any method the clubs want.
It’s not quite the Utopian ideal that is claimed but certainly better than the rest of the World.
All a bit Hansel and Gretel, then.
Looks like a mix bag of good and bad YW. I Guess both sides can pick good parts from each league. I like the fan ownership part they have incorporated. Gives the community a vested interest in the club. The disparity between the haves and have not is also more noticeable in the EPL. also no auger daddies that I know of in bundasliga. All good things.
Good morning by and by..
This morning’s post est arrive
http://www.aclfarsenal.co.uk/?p=10640