When much of the talk before the game was how this Arsenal side has grown since this corresponding fixture last year, it would be hard to argue that they let anyone down against a relentless Bayern Munich. A focused and determined and in many ways an impressive team performance for Wenger’s men, despite the final result.
Pinned back greatly under intense Bayern pressure in the second half, there was a keen desire not to let the tie get away from them where perhaps previously this would have been a rout. A relatively even affair until the sending off, it become a story of could have beens as the Gunners could have conceivably been 2-0 at this point.
Player Ratings
Wojciech Szczęsny - 5 - Shown a red card that given the rules is hard to argue against, the type of decision that had potential to destroy the tie for the Gunners. It was a shame considering his strong start, commanding well and an excellent save from the lethal right foot of Kroos.
Bacary Sagna - 6 - A solid game for Bacary as much of the action took place down our left hand-side, but he covered well and tracked relentlessly. His passing accuracy was low at 61% but this was in line with much of the Gunners passing in the second half.
Per Mertesacker - 7 - Stayed organised and looked confident early on, didn’t do much wrong throughout the game. Didn’t impose himself as Koscielny did on the match but was solid nonetheless.
Laurent Koscielny - 8 - Looking composed from the start Koscielny could well have been the Gunners best player at the Emirates. Winning important aerial battles and putting two quality last man tackles Laurent did much to assert himself of Bayern early on. Couldn’t have done much more tonight, going on a late burst that lifted the crowd, but instantly we found ourselves 2-0 down.
Kieran Gibbs - N/A - Potentially a huge blow for Arsenal going off injured just after half an hour. Was looking relatively comfortable until this point although Bayern were sniffing blood down our left hand-side, looked determined and highlighted our strong mentality going into the game.
Mathieu Flamini - 6 - This was a huge game for the Frenchman, and for much of the match under enormous Bayern pressure he organised well, focusing the players as well as himself. Battling extremely well throughout sticking a leg in when needed. Switched off for their second goal although also the reason we didn’t concede three or four.
Jack Wilshere - 6 - Had a fantastic first half performance and was key in Arsenal’s strong start to the game. Always looking to spring the counter and unlocked the Bayern defence on a couple of occasions. Struggled to impose himself when we went down to ten men, really had to put a shift in the middle of the park, and was up against it for almost sixty minutes, remaining focused and organised.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 7 - Arsene went with pace over the experience of Rosicky and this paid off on occasion when breaking forward. A useful outlet but much less effective when we were reduced to ten men. Perhaps could have scored but Neuer was exceptional. Brimming with confidence and looked solid up and down the right-hand side.
Santi Cazorla - N/A - Unfortunately sacrificed after the Szczeny red-card and was having a strong performance up until that point. Great distribution and his first touch looked to be working well, getting involved in Arsenal’s key moves early on.
Mesut Ozil - 5 - Was all over the pitch early on but struggled to oppose his best game onto Bayern. Won a penalty brilliantly which was let down only when he decided to take it, with a kind of weak strike that summed up much of his performance. Couldn’t do much when he did get a chance to break forward, as options were understandably slim.
Yaya Sonogo - 6 - I think everybody was shocked to see the young Frenchmen's name on the team sheet, ahead of his more experienced compatriot. He did not at all look daunted by the occasion in the opening encounters, making himself a real handful and not letting the Bayern defenders settle. Touch and composure lacked on occasions but a promising performance.
Subs
Nacho Monreal - 5 - On after half an hour Nacho was placed right into the thick of things. Coming on in a highly intense football match demanding upmost concentration, he looked out of his depth as Bayern enjoyed dominance down the right hand side throughout. Perhaps could have done more to track Robben before the Szczeny incident.
Lukas Fabianski - 6 - Came on under extremely difficult circumstances but made some very good saves throughout, but couldn’t have done much about the quality of the Toni Kroos goal.
Tomas Rosicky - N/A - Brought on to add a steely head to an increasingly difficult situation. Got stuck in well but threw his weight about rather to much, earning himself a booking.
Tonight did not go Arsenal’s way and the late goal was a critical blow to an extremely determined Arsenal performance. We will all still believe we can get something in Munich as we have done before, and we can take heart that we did not concede three or four at the Emirates. In many ways we can be proud of the performance tonight, and hope that it will strengthen our mentality going forward.
Latest:
