Bayern Munich 5 – 1 Arsenal – Match Review ( A Painful Reminder )
Two weeks ago, the corresponding
fixture at The Emirates saw a
measured performance from Arsenal
to take all three points and allow fans
a little hope of escaping the group
stages.
It seems that the Gunners riled the
German giants into dishing out some
retribution.
There are some differences to insert
into this depressing equation though.
These would be the absences of
Koscielny, Bellerin, a recognised right
winger and Theo Walcott. Even with
these players included in the side, the
Gunners wouldn’t have left the Allianz
Arena with a win, but they would have
left with a scoreline that was a little
closer.
This match also had the misfortune of
being in the shadow of a domestic
game that carries much heft. The North
London Derby on Sunday looms large
on Gooner’s minds and a loss can
never be contemplated, so a spot of
rotation in the side which has its hand
forced in terms of selection would not
have been completely scoffed at. Some
players would be playing their third
game in eight days with this fixture
and a well deserved rest could prove
vital with the visit of tottenham
impending.
Arsene Wenger named a strong side,
as Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud and Campbell
made up the attacking portion of the
team. The midfield partnership of
Coquelin and Cazorla was again the
fulcrum of the side and a defence
formed of Debuchy, Mertesacker,
Gabriel and Monreal with Cech in goal
made the last line of resistance.
A line of resistance that was to be
breached far too easily.
Robert Lewandowski and Douglas
Costa – as in the first match – were the
duo that were to cause the Arsenal
defence problems, but instead of
drawing a blank as in the tie at The
Emirates two weeks ago, it took only
ten minutes for the prolific Pole to
break the deadlock. It was his first
goal that he had ever scored past the
Czech stopper. Brazilian Gabriel
completely lost track of Lewandowski
to leave the hitman completely
unhindered to nod home at the far
post.
Then, a glimmer of light. Nacho
Monreal fizzed in a ball and Ozil was
on hand ( ahem ) to put the ball in
from close range. An equaliser that
was chalked off even though the fourth
official was completely oblivious to the
limb that put the ball in the net.
Bayern then compounded the misery,
with another dose of aid from the
Arsenal defence. A Debuchy woefully
short on confidence fluffed his lines
and allowed Thomas Mueller time to
slot home. 2-0 and Pep’s men weren’t
finished wreaking revenge.
David Alaba capitalised on some
uncharacteristically slack tackling
from Santi Cazorla and carried the ball
forward a little before unleashing a
curling shot which hit the top corner,
leaving Cech with no chance.
The half time whistle blew shortly
after and the respite would have been
welcome for not only the Arsenal
players – whose work rate in
pressuring the Bayern men was the
overriding reason why they were three
goals down – but also for Arsene
Wenger, who had to endure the turgid
display from the bench.
The second half carried on in the same
theme, but this time Arsenal at least
looked a threat in an attacking sense,
with Cazorla, Giroud and Ozil guilty of
profligacy in front of goal and wasting
a chance to save a little face.
Second half substitute Arjen Robben
punished these spurned chances after
he had been on the pitch less than a
minute, with a simple cutback not
being snuffed out and the hairless
Dutchman snaffling up the chance
from close range.
4-0. Shellshocked Gunners looked to
each other, but they could only find
blame in their lackadaisical approach
to defending.
Olivier Giroud, who had barely
touched the ball, gave travelling
Gooners a little something to cheer
about, with fantastic control to trap an
airborne ball and then volley it past
Manuel Neuer.
The comeback started? Not a chance.
Arsenal continued to create chances
and had no choice but to attack with
the deficit being so large, but Bayern
reclaimed possession after an Arsenal
move broke down and gave the ball to
Douglas Costa. He fizzed past
stationary looking Arsenal resistance
and then passed to Thomas Mueller,
who finished precisely into the corner
to heap the shame on the men from
London and leave Gooners with a
miserable trip home.
The game finished and with
Olympiacos grabbing a winner against
Dynamo Zagreb, it leaves Arsene with
little manoeuvring. A win against
Zagreb at The Emirates leaves a
winner takes all showdown in Greece
in the final group game if Olympiacos
fail to pick up a point in Munich. It is
nigh on Mission Improbable, but if
qualification cannot be gained, then
the feeling from Gooners is that
bottom spot in the group is preferable
to finishing third and taking part in
the second tier of Europe – the Europa
League.
Much of fans focus is also on Sunday’s
game against their hated neighbours.
This tie takes a backward step in
priority in comparison with a chance
to remind tottenham where they reside
in terms of North London power
struggles.
This hammering – much like the
Sheffield Wednesday Capital One Cup
debacle – will be quickly forgotten, or
at least heal some wounds, if Arsenal
defeat tottenham in the weekend and
keep up the pressure at the top of the
Premiership.
The European adventure may look
perilously close to ending prematurely
this season, but the Premiership is the
focus, the aim. Three points on Sunday
and redemption is achievable.
If Europe is over, there is one silver
lining. Less appearances for that
abomination of a kit.
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