Defeated, but immensely proud

Arsenal 0-2 Bayern Munich

 

Arsenal were left to ponder what might have been last night as the Gunners produced an excellent display against what many consider to be the best team in Europe right now. Had Szczesny not been sent off in the first half, Arsenal may well have even won the match. Unfortunately the referee made a decision which effectively killed the game and we will now never know what the outcome of this intriguing match would have been.

It was an evening in which the Gunners produced two contrasting and equally impressive performances.  During the first half Arsene Wenger’s side showed absolutely no fear and took the game to the visitors, creating several goal scoring opportunities. Down to ten men for the entire second period, Arsenal had to produce a display of great grit and determination to restrict Guardiola’s free scoring side to only two goals. Although the game ended in great disappointment, in many ways it highlighted just how far this team has come in the space of a year.

Last season the Gunners faced Bayern at the same stage of the Champions League and were completely out played, out thought and out fought. This time however, Arsenal were prepared to go toe to toe with Bayern. Urged on by a magnificent home crowd, who stuck by them throughout the entire match, the Gunners started the game in extremely positive fashion right from the first whistle. Szczesny’s excellent save from Toni Kroos’ long range effort aside, Arsenal completely dominated the opening ten minutes of the match.

They were passing the ball with a speed and a confidence which showed their collective belief that they belong on this stage.  However they needed to take the lead in order to press home their advantage and send the already fervent home crowd into sheer hysteria. Chances came and went as Yaya Sanogo, surprisingly starting his second game in succession in place of Giroud, saw an early effort well saved by Neur, before Cazorla raced through on goal but shot tamely straight at the goalkeeper when he had options square. Then in the ninth minute Ozil picked up Wilshere’s pass down the left flank and raced into the box. The German displayed great skill in an attempt to get past Jerome Boateng, which led to the former Manchester City defender committing a foul on his compatriot. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and the Emirates collectively drew breath in anticipation.

Unfortunately with Arteta suspended and Giroud on the bench, Arsenal were missing their first choice penalty takers and so the task to convert from 12 yards fell to Ozil. Having failed miserably with his first penalty attempt in an Arsenal shirt earlier in the season, the Gunners record signing looked like a man who would rather be anywhere else as he stepped up to hit a weak effort which Neuer was able to palm away one handed. It had been a glorious opportunity wasted. Had they taken it, this may well have been a different game altogether.

Bayern took confidence from the miss and grew into the game, but although they were enjoying greater possession, the Germans never tested Szczesny and Arsenal were still looking dangerous in attack. Sanogo, having been impressive against Liverpool, was producing another eye catching display. Midway through the first half, the young Frenchman brought down a high ball beautifully, swivelled and sent a beautiful pass over the Bayern defence for Oxlade-Chamberlain to chase down. Unfortunately for the Gunners, Neuer recognised the danger, raced off his line and just beat the Englishman to the ball.

It would turn out to be Arsenal’s last real chance on goal as seven minutes before half time the referee made the decision which killed the match. Kroos’ clever clipped ball over the Arsenal defence found Robben and as Szczesny came forward, off his line, the Dutchman touched the ball past him before throwing himself to ground under the slightest contact. The referee awarded a penalty and showed Szczesny the red card.

At this point Wenger decided to replace the impressive Cazorla with Fabianski, while many would have opted for Ozil to come off instead. The German never recovered from his penalty miss and seeing as he is not renowned for his work rate and the Gunners would now have to play the rest of the game with ten men, such a decision would have been understandable. The fact Alaba missed his spot kick was not really any consolation, everyone watching the game knew that the miss had merely delayed the inevitable.

The second half saw Arsenal camped deep in their own half, with no hope of consistently crossing the halfway line. The Gunners defended manfully and showed great heart, spirit and determination. Unfortunately, with Kieran Gibbs having earlier gone off injured and therefore replaced by Monreal, Arsenal had a weak point in their defensive line. The Spaniard gets turned far too easily and with Ozil playing in front of him, did not have any real protection either, which made matters worse. Wenger failed to address this issue throughout the entire second half and it was no surprise that both Bayern goals emanated from this side of the field.   

The first came in the 54^th minute as Lahm played the ball to Kroos for the German midfielder to curl a wonderful, unstoppable shot around Jack Wilshere, who was attempting to close him down, and inside the near post. Had Arsenal been able to keep the score at 0-1, they would have come away disappointed but satisfied that they were still in the tie. The fact they were only two minutes away from achieving this feat was all the more frustrating as Lahm’s cross found Meuller all alone in the area to head home Bayern’s second.

At the final whistle the home crowd stood as one to applaud their team’s efforts. Playing against this Bayern Munich side with eleven men is hard enough; with ten it is virtually impossible. Arsenal had shown that they are more than a match for Guardiola’s men during those first thirty seven minutes and then displayed great character to withstand the passing onslaught of the second half. Although obviously disappointed, the players must take great heart from this game and build upon it.