Five talking points from Arsenal’s defeat in Bayern Munich
BAYERN MUNICH 5-1 ARSENAL: FIVE TALKING POINTS FROM THE CRUNCH GAME.
The host Bayern Munich mauled Arsenal in front of the German supporters who were happy at the end of the game following the 5-1 demolition of the Visiting Arsenal side.
Bayern led by Philipp Lahm did not waste time in taking initiative in the match as they opened the scoring with just 8 minutes played.
The visitors (Arsenal) for much of the game were second best as the German host (Bayern Munich) dominated match proceedings in the entire game.
With the 5-1 defeat of Arsenal in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League at the Allianz Arena we pondered what might have been with the Gunners as we take something into consideration from the game.
Here are the five talking points from the Bayern Munich/Arsenal game in the UEFA Champions League first leg.
WHAT A GENIUS (ROBBEN)
The talismanic forward proved what a genius he is when he curled the ball from outside the box into the back of the net to the amazement of Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina in goal.
It was really shear class as (Arjen) Robben produced the best goal of the night in a captivating evening.
Just as they say that form is temporary but class is permanent, Arjen(Robben) had just really defined that statement with a beauty of a goal as Arsenal were pegged back 1-0 early in the game.
The attacking potency and the movement of the Bavarians in the final third ensured that Robben received the ball in the right position to plant the precise finish in Arsenal garden (back of the net) for the breakthrough goal in the 8th minutes of the game.
SANCHEZ, THE ARSENAL HUSTLER
The Gunners were already 1-0 down) when the Chilean was presented with a good chance to draw Arsenal level in the game this time from the penalty spot.
Alexis stepped up and took the penalty but Neuer produced a smart save to deny Arsenal forward from the spot but Sanchez rallied back to bundle the rebound past Manuel Neuer in goal despite increased (chaotic moment) pressure from the Bayern defence.
It was true quality and confidence for a player to miss a penalty in such a game and still regain the assertion and resilience to go after the ball, win it back despite the defensive pressure and finish well pass through the goalkeeper of Manuel Neuer quality and pedigree in the modern game.
It was a goal that showed Sanchez fighting spirit and his undisputed determination to make the difference as he hustled around to fetch Arsenal a deserve equalizer in the game after an initial handball in the Penalty box.
ARSENAL OUTCLASSED BY BAYERN MUNICH
The Gunners were truly outclassed in the midfield by the superior German side in the entire 90 minutes context.
The midfield trio of Xabi Alonso, Thiago Alcantara and rugged Arturo Vidal was too much for Arsenal to deal with as they bossed match proceedings over Arsenal who were welcoming back midfielder Granit Xhaka from long absence following the four match ban he got after a rough challenge in the narrow 2-1 defeat over Burnley at the Emirates thanks to Alexis Sanchez late Penalty when it matters the most.
The likes of Xhaka, Mesut Ozil and Coquelin were just not up to the midfield challenge posed by Bayern at the Allianz Arena as the aforementioned trio bossed the Bavarian midfield to produce the desired result for Bayern Munich much to the detriment of the Arsenal side who lost woefully in the game.
ARSENAL ARE JUST OUT AGAIN
When you are beaten 5-1 in a game there is every likelihood that you are not going to play in the next round of the UEFA Champions League irrespective of the opposition in question.
This time Arsenal lost to the Bavarian Giants who are heavyweights in European football and this makes it look decided and settled after just 90 minutes (with another 90minutes to spare).
The German who had (Arjen) Robben and (Douglas Costa) on the opposing side of the wings were the architect of the Arsenal defeat and they will still be available for the return leg which makes it look even more bleak for Arsenal going into the reverse fixture.
The German side are known for their resilience and spirited display whether at home or away and this is why Arsenal will be in for the big game at the Emirates when the Germans comes around for the return leg in earnest.
ARSENAL FEEBLE UNDER PRESSURE
The Bavarians were really good on the night as the dominated the game especially in the second half of the game but Arsenal contributed largely to the huge 5-1 defeat that seems to have no remedy even with 90minutes still to be played at home, Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal were really feeble under pressure as (Hector) Bellerin of all people surrendered the ball (possession) to Bayern under pressure in Arsenal’s vital area to give the host a chance to add more gloss to the score line thus paving the way for Bayern’s passage to the quarter-final unless for an unlikely Arsenal miracle.
What was Bellerin thinking to have lost the ball like that in that kind of dangerous position. It just amounts to pressure as Arsenal tends to fade away in the wake of increased intensity from opposition, looking more disillusioned than ever when there is so much pressure and expectations attached to a big game of that magnitude and importance.
Obiweluozo Martins
