Thursday, 14 March 2013

Bayern 0-2 Arsenal: Gunners revived in glorious lost


That we were out of the Champions League was never surprising to me, but the way we went down however, did.


Aggressive and speedy, Arsenal moved the ball at their best through the midfield and find the explosive Walcott, who smashed the low cross through the static Bayern's defence to see Giroud on the end of it. Arsenal 1-0 Bayern Munich.

Bayern's players were shocked by how quickly Arsenal has got through their defence so swiftly and smoothly.

They didn't think this is the Arsenal side they have met 3 weeks ago. At least they've only realised this after their midfield got eliminated with a clinical Arsenal move that could have only exist at the Invincibles time. This was scary, I thought, and as the commentator said 'It could be the opening of something very special for Arsenal tonight'

Although Bayern did step up after the first half end, we defended well while they tried all sorts of long range efforts ( 22 attempts vs 4 of ours).

85th minute, Koscielny headed home the second goal from a Cazorla's corner kick. But it wasn't enough.

Our defence was brilliant, given by the fact that our 'ran-out-of-gas' captain Vermaelen took a rest while being replaced by Koscielny and a goalie who hasn't played a single competitive match for over a year started in the line-up.

I thought Fabianski was brilliant!

We played as a whole unit at the back, something we haven't seen in a while and became the first team to stop Bayern from scoring at their stadium for this season. The strikers and midfielders dropped back to help out the back, while quickly passed it up field for the likes of Giroud and Walcott to combine and find a way through the stubborn Bayern's defence.

The two full backs did a good job too, with Gibbs returned and Jenkinson confidently running up and down the field, and had proven that the likes of Sagna and Monreal will have to wait for some times of they are to continue this form.

We left with pride and dignity out of the Allianz Stadium, but is it enough for the rest of our season?

I do give credits for the team for trying yesterday, but this one win won't solve our problems. As I said before Bayern could finish this Arsenal era, but with Arsenal's win yesterday, it will be difficult for me now to predict what will happen next.

With still 10 games to play in the PL, a healthy 30 points await us if we can play every game like we did yesterday, while Chelsea and Tottenham have tough schedules await them.

Let's see if the Gunners can beat Swansea 2-0 on the weekend, then we will talk from there. Till then.


















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