Arsenal
15 Goal Bale vs Arsenal’s Rambo: Who Is The Welsh Footballer Of The Season?
Two Welshmen started the 2013/14 season with two very different aims. Whilst one was looking to justify the world record transfer fee that Real Madrid had agreed for him, the other was trying to repay the faith placed in him by Arsenal faithfuls. With the season now concluded it is fair to say that both the players in question, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey had successful seasons for their respective clubs.
Bale
Much was expected from Bale after his move to Real Madrid from Spurs and the Welsh wing wizard certainly did not disappoint. Although he had to wait for his debut, he took to the stage like a duck to water. Amidst the galaxy of stars at Real, Bale certainly managed to make a very big impact. Whether it was scoring the winning goal in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, or the goal game that gave the lead in the champions league final against Atletico Madrid, Bale certainly scored his fair share of crucial goals in his debut season with Real Madrid.
Whilst there was plenty of expectation on Bale, Ramsey’s case was a little different. Some had already started to get on the back of Arsene Wenger for entrusting the youngster with such a big responsibility right at the start of the season, instead of signing an experienced central midfielder. However, Aaron Ramsey’s sublime start to the season proved his doubters wrong and showed that Wenger was right to put his faith in him. And it was fitting that it was Ramsey, who scored the goal that gave the Gunners their first piece of silverware in nine years.
Both Ramsey and Bale had a successful season both individually, and collectively, as a team. Which now begs the question, who had the better season? Was it the 23-year-old central midfielder who was crucial to Arsenal’s FA Cup win and fourth place finish or was it the player who gave Real Madrid their 10th European crown, one that has eluded them for over a decade?
Ramsey
In terms of sheer numbers, there can only be one winner. Although Ramsey scored 10 times and assisted a further eight goals in the Premier League, his injury mid-way through the season means that he doesn’t really have the same numbers as his compatriot. Although both players play in different positions, the simple fact is that, Bale’s tally of 15 goals and 12 assists in his first La Liga campaign overshadows Ramsey’s stats, even though he only played four more League games, 27 compared to Ramsey’s 23.
Then again, football isn’t all about numbers. It is also about their contribution to the team. While there is no doubt that Bale scored and assisted more goals than Ramsey, was he as central to his team’s performances as Ramsey was? The simple answer is No. As good as Bale was, Cristiano Ronaldo was certainly more influential and behind him were Angel Di Maria, Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos in no particular order.
The fact that Arsenal struggled without Ramsey during his injury layoff means that, from a rank outsider, Ramsey has quickly established himself as a first team regular. And that is reason enough for him to trump Bale in that regard. Even if Ramsey only has the FA Cup to show for his season’s efforts, while Bale has both the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, his importance to his team and the way they play, means that for all of Bale’s trophies, Ramsey had a much better season for the Gunners.
While it is true that many crumble under the weight of expectations, on the evidence of his performances since his world record move to Real Madrid, it is safe to say that Bale is thriving in his new environment. And with more time at the club, he will only continue to get better and better. But, the stunning transformation Ramsey has shown over the course of last season means that, for all of his goals, Bale is pipped by his compatriot when one looks at who has had the better season, as a player.
Arsenal Women surrendered a commanding two-goal lead at the Allianz Arena, collapsing spectacularly after dominating the first half. The defeat represents an early blow to the holders’ Champions League defense and exposes fundamental weaknesses in Renee Slegers’ side.
Defensive High Line Proved Disastrous
Arsenal’s backline held an extremely high defensive position throughout, which Bayern ruthlessly exploited during their second-half comeback. Stephanie Catley and Lottie Wubben-Moy were caught flat-footed for Alara Sehitler’s 67th-minute goal, with Bayern breaking quickly while Arsenal pushed high up the pitch.
Sehitler found herself in acres of space to clip past Daphne van Domselaar, highlighting catastrophic positioning from Arsenal’s defenders. The same defensive naivety appeared for Pernille Harder’s equalizer, with both center-backs standing off and allowing the substitute uncontested shooting space on the box edge.
Read More: Experienced Vet Wins Arsenal Women’s October Player of the Month After Breaking Goal Drought
Second-Half Tactical Capitulation
Arsenal dominated the opening 45 minutes completely, making Bayern look ordinary through high pressing and controlled possession. But Slegers failed adjusting tactically after halftime, allowing Bayern to completely dominate proceedings and turn the match around.
The manager receives a damning 4/10 rating for her inability to respond as Bayern’s momentum grew. Her substitutions failed stemming the tide, with Chloe Kelly and Frida Maanum making minimal impact. Maanum particularly disappointed by squandering a glorious opportunity with 10 minutes remaining after excellent Alessia Russo work.
Pernille Harder Continues Arsenal Curse
Harder’s 80th-minute equalizer marked her seventh goal against Arsenal following her Chelsea career. The Danish striker’s unorthodox but brilliant looping shot over Van Domselaar demonstrated her instinctive finishing ability that has consistently punished the Gunners.
Arsenal’s inability to handle Harder’s movement and shooting prowess reflects deeper issues defending against intelligent forwards who exploit space between lines. Her goal sparked Bayern’s late surge, with Glodis Viggosdottir completing the turnaround four minutes later following another Klara Buhl assist.
Arsenal Dragon
Arsenal Women Player Ratings vs. Bayern Munich: Pernille Harder Haunts Gunners as Champions Squander Two-Goal Lead
Arsenal Women surrendered a commanding two-goal advantage to lose 3-2 at the Allianz Arena, suffering a devastating Champions League defeat that threatens their title defense. Emily Fox and Mariona Caldentey established control before Bayern’s second-half onslaught overturned the deficit.
The Standout Performers:
Mariona Caldentey – 7/10 Thrashed home Arsenal’s second goal after capitalizing on dreadful Bayern defending. Shifted the ball brilliantly before unleashing an unstoppable 20-yard drive into the roof of the net.
Provided creative spark throughout, constantly threatening with technical quality whenever receiving possession.
Alessia Russo – 7/10 Deserved more for her efforts after seeing plenty of possession in dangerous areas. Forced excellent save from Mala Grohs with long-distance strike and created wonderful opportunity for Frida Maanum late on. Her attacking intent couldn’t prevent the collapse.
Emily Fox – 7/10 Opened scoring by capitalizing on goalkeeper error, heading home from close range after Beth Mead’s powerful shot.
Faced significantly more defensive work after halftime as Bayern dominated proceedings.
The Solid Showings:
Beth Mead – 6/10 Credited with assist for opener after her fierce low shot was palmed down into Fox’s path. Involved in buildup for second goal and shrugged off heavy challenge in the 50th minute. Productive evening overall.
Stina Blackstenius – 6/10 Nearly scored spectacular goal when fierce strike crashed off crossbar. Constant threat before 60th-minute substitution but couldn’t add to Arsenal’s tally.
Caitlin Foord – 6/10 Productive display cut short after hour mark when replaced by Chloe Kelly.
Katie McCabe – 6/10 Relatively quiet evening before 75th-minute substitution.
Victoria Pelova – 6/10 Covered significant ground with tireless running before replacement by Kyra Cooney-Cross.
Daphne van Domselaar – 5/10 Virtual spectator during dominant first half. Exposed completely for Alara Sehitler’s 67th-minute goal and helpless preventing Pernille Harder’s brilliant looping equalizer or Glodis Viggosdottir’s winner.
Stephanie Catley – 5/10 Caught flat-footed holding high line for Bayern’s opener. Stood off Harder disastrously for equalizer.
Lottie Wubben-Moy – 5/10 Similar struggles to defensive partner Catley. Slow closing down Harder for leveller after being caught off-guard by Bayern’s quick break.
Chloe Kelly – 5/10 Struggled making impact after 60th-minute introduction with Arsenal pinned back.
Frida Maanum – 5/10 Squandered glorious chance after excellent Russo work with 10 minutes remaining.
Renee Slegers – 4/10 Shell-shocked after watching commanding position evaporate. Failed adjusting tactically after halftime as Bayern completely dominated.
Arsenal Dragon
Dramatic Turn of Events That Led to Arsenal’s Underrated 2013 Signing, and how Fans Reacted to it Back Then
One of Arsenal’s unsung heroes in the club’s rather silent years was Spanish full-back Nacho Monreal. Any given match, the former Malaga man would give it his all. A solid player, and an even nicer man off the field.
Nacho Monreal Recently Narrated that Hilarious Morning he Signed for Arsenal
Monreal joined the club in the winter transfer window of 2013. And more recently, he narrated how dramatically things went down before he reached London to sign for the club. He told Ladbrokes in an interview:
“I was in Malaga, playing for Malaga, and I remember, I woke up, I checked the phone and I had, two phone calls from Santi Cazorla. So I was a bit surprised…So, I arrived to the training ground and I called back, Santi, ‘Santi, what’s happening? Why are you calling me so early in the morning?’
“‘Nacho, Nacho, be quick, do you want to join for Arsenal?’
“I said, ‘What?’
“‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, the club, Arsene Wenger asked me if you want to join the club.’
“I was like, ‘What, really?’
“‘Yeah, yeah, Nacho. Yeah, it’s 100% serious.’
“And I said, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, of course I want to go.’“
Monreal went on to add that it all happened so quick that he hadn’t even told his wife that he had signed for Arsenal.
Arsenal Fans Back in 2013 Had No Clue Who Nacho Monreal was
A boatload of Arsenal fans back in January 2013 didn’t have any idea about Nacho Monreal. Although, the Spaniard had been a regular in La Liga for over half a decade by then, he wasn’t popular among the Gooners.
Here are some tweets from 2013 about Monreal’s signing:
Monreal, after over 6 solid years with the club, returned to Spain to play for Real Sociedad in 2019. After three seasons, until 2022, he was a pretty regular starter. Monreal hung up his boots the same year.
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