Arsenal
Bayern Munich Vs Arsenal Player Ratings + Highlights
It was so close, yet so far for the Gunners last night as it has been over the past few years. It’s now the second time in two years that Arsenal bow out of the Champions league in style. A glorious 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena proved to be off no use as the Germans qualified for the Quarter finals on the away goals.
The three goals that Arsenal let in at the Emirates proved to be a little too much to recover, but the Londoners should be proud to have almost managed the unthinkable. A 3rd minute strike from Olivier Giroud stunned the home ground to give an early advantage to the travelling team, but couldn’t find the all important 2nd goal until the 85th minute which was a little too late as Bayern held on the last 5 nervy minutes to go through.
Player ratings:
Fabianski:
Guess the name Flapianski will not suit him anymore. A rare brilliant performance from the Polish. Stepped into the first team after a very lengthy lay off and to everyone’s astonishment kept a clean sheet with some decent stops 8/10.
Jenkinson:
Every Time he has been called up for the first team, Jenkison has never failed to deliver. He played with a heart full of attitude and dealt with the trickery off Robben quite well 8/10.
Mertesacker:
A German tank indeed. It was one of his best performance in an Arsenal shirt. After a poor outing against the Spurs, Mertesacker stepped up a level for the big game. Blocked everything that came in his way and kept hold of Mandzukic for most parts of the game 8.5/10.
Koscielny:
Was the best of the lot. Commanded the back line and scored the goal which gave Arsenal a glimpse of a hope in the last 5 minutes 8.5/10.
Gibbs:
Started the match directly after returning to the first team training after spending six weeks in the treatment table and put in a solid performance 8/10.
Arteta:
The lack of a defensive midfielder along side the Spaniard was clearly highlighted last night. His duties with the ball going forward was decent as always but it’s when he shifts back to defend that he fails to deliver. He is not the typical ball winner to sit in-front of the back four and lost the plot in the final few minutes giving away a series of needless, and frustrating, fouls. l6/10.
Ramsey:
Not a great performance from Ramsey but it was an acceptable one. After initially giving away possession easily in the first half, gathered himself as the match progressed. 6/10.
Rosicky:
Not the best day out for Rosicky. His link up play with Walcott and Giroud failed miserably allowing the Germans to retrieve the ball without fighting for it. Apart from his layoff to Walcott in the build-up for the first goal, Rosicky was not involved much. 5.5/10.
Cazorla:
Showed glimpses of his presence now and then, but had a quiet day overall. 6/10.
Walcott:
Started the match with a pin point cross to find Giroud and almost found him again in the second half with a cross similar to the first one but this time the striker couln’t find the back of the net. Apart from these two crosses, Theo was completely lost and was eventually subbed. 6/10.
Giroud:
Tapped in the first goal and was lively in the first half winning all the long balls that came in his way, but was not clinical enough when presented with a half chance and his attempt to pass the ball onto the path of Cazorla almost worked but the Germans were aware of the danger and cleared it. Not a bad, but definitely not a good performance from the French International. 6.5/10.
Bayern Munich Ratings:
Manuel Neuer:
A run of poor form from the German keeper Neuer as he has let in 4 goals in the last two games for Bayern. Though he was not at fault for the first goal, he could have made a better attempt at stopping the second goal and his attempt to waste time after it was followed by 5 nervy minutes for Bayern to hold on. 6/10.
Philipp Lahm:
As always the Bayern full back was at his best. Kept a check on all off Arsenal’s attacks that came his way and his contribution in the final third was impeccable. 8/10.
Dante:
Not the best of the night’s for the Brazilian. A poor match ended up giving 2 goals to the travelling team 6/10.
Daniel Van Buyten:
Stepped in to replace Jerome Boateng but was average in his defensive duties. 6.5/10
David Alaba:
It’s not often that you see the youngster from Austria having a poor night. But it was once such day when Alaba found himself at the wrong place way more than he usual does. His slip near the penalty box opened up a pocket of space for Walcott to utilise which he did with perfection. 5.5/10
Javier Martinez:
Schweinsteiger’s absence was clearly felt as Martinez single-handedly coudn’t convert the defensive tackles into forward passes. Stayed at the back for the most part of the game and was not very effective when he occasionally came forward. 6/10
Luiz Gustavo:
Gustavo silenced some of his critics with a decent job, much better than his midfield colleague Martinez. 6.5/10.
Arjen Robben:
He has been complaining about the lack of first team opportunities this season and when presented with a chance, he failed miserably to make the most of it. Though made some mazy runs, his selfishness masked all the good things that he did. Failed to convert a clear cut chance, failed to pass it when his team mates were with acres of space but his time wasting during the stoppage time would have been a treat to Bayern’ fans. 5.5/10
Toni Kroos:
A night of frustration for Kross. He threatened the goal from distance more than any Bayern player did but did not test the Arsenal keeper. 6.5/10
Thomas Muller:
Muller is touted as an inconsistent player and yesterday was one of the nights when he proved it. Failed to wear his passing/shooting boots. 5.5/10
Mario Mandzukic:
One of the worst performance from the Croatian. Scorer of an important goal in the first leg, Mandzukic’s presence was hardly found last night. Was frustrated when he was subbed , but it was the right thing from the coach. 5/10.
Watch the highlights here:
[youtube width=”500″ height=”300″]-aOAH4eeH0o[/youtube]
Arsenal
Emily Fox Commits Arsenal to Championship Treble Pursuit as USWNT Defender Targets Every Available Trophy Following Consecutive PFA Recognition
Emily Fox has articulated explicit championship ambition for Arsenal, establishing the club’s comprehensive trophy pursuit philosophy requiring unwavering commitment across all available competitions.
The United States Women’s National Team defender’s unequivocal assertion that elite institutions “have to go for all of them” combined with her consecutive PFA Team of the Year recognition establishes credible foundation supporting genuine championship aspirations rather than merely aspirational rhetoric.
Arsenal’s narrow previous season defeat through draw accumulation combined with their Charlton Athletic 5-1 demolition establishes encouraging competitive foundation suggesting tactical sharpness supporting their championship objectives.
Fox’s immediate second-half impact despite not starting validates her elite status transcending purely starting lineup consideration, suggesting her availability provides meaningful tactical flexibility supporting Arsenal’s demanding fixture schedule throughout their multi-competition campaign.
Elite One-Versus-One Defending Provides Championship Foundation
Fox’s characterisation as elite one-versus-one defender combined with her ability to “surge relentlessly down the right flank” establishes complete attacking and defensive profile meriting championship-level confidence.
Her PFA recognition reflecting her dual-faceted influence across both ends of the pitch validates her significance extending beyond purely defensive responsibility, indicating genuine elite performer capable of meaningful attacking contribution supporting Arsenal’s creative requirements.
That comprehensive capability combined with her demonstrated consistency establishes credible foundation supporting Arsenal’s multi-trophy pursuit.
Draw Accumulation Represents Championship Addressable Challenge
Arsenal’s previous season single loss contrasted against their six-draw accumulation establishes quantifiable competitive adjustment requirement rather than fundamental capability deficiency. That marginal defeat suggested by draw patterns rather than defensive collapses indicates realistic trophy pursuit achievability through continued tactical consistency and draw-conversion improvement rather than requiring wholesale squad reconstruction.
This statement feels strategically important for Arsenal’s competitive trajectory. Rather than pursuing conservative single-trophy focus, Fox and Arsenal establish ambitious championship mentality demanding elite performance consistency across all available competitions. Her championship commitment combined with her demonstrated elite capability positions Arsenal favorably for sustained trophy pursuit throughout their anticipated season.
Arsenal
New UEFA Regulation Blocks Arsenal From Away Fixture Against Slavia Prague as Champions League Draw Implements Consecutive Opponent Restriction
Arsenal have discovered their comprehensive Champions League group phase opponents following yesterday’s draw, establishing their competitive schedule whilst navigating newly implemented UEFA regulation preventing consecutive away fixtures against identical opposition.
The regulation denying Arsenal’s away travel to Prague combined with Liverpool’s blocked Anfield Real Madrid fixture establishes systematic competition balance philosophy limiting repetitive home-venue matchups across three consecutive seasons, suggesting deliberate competition structure enhancement prioritising varied competitive experience.
Arsenal’s previous season 3-0 Prague demolition combined with their current away-fixture prevention establishes genuine competitive advantage preservation rather than purely administrative regulation, validating UEFA’s systematic approach toward ensuring fresh competitive challenge distribution.
That regulatory framework combined with Arsenal’s established grouping suggests meaningful competitive foundation supporting their European championship aspirations following their previous season Budapest final disappointment.
Regulation Implementation Prevents Competitive Staleness
The regulation prohibiting three-consecutive-season identical home-venue fixtures between same opposition establishes competition diversity philosophy suggesting UEFA recognises value in fresh tactical challenges across multiple seasons. That systematic approach spanning multiple elite clubs including Liverpool alongside Arsenal suggests comprehensive competition restructuring philosophy rather than arbitrarily targeting individual institutions, indicating genuine competition-wide implementation rather than selective application.
That regulation combined with Arsenal’s established grouping establishes meaningful competitive foundation supporting sustained elite challenge throughout their group phase campaign.
Arsenal’s Comprehensive Grouping Establishes Elite Championship Foundation
Arsenal’s pairing with Real Madrid home fixture combined with Bayern Munich away establishment alongside their additional elite opposition encounters (Dortmund, Lille, Napoli, Betis) establishes genuinely demanding group phase schedule requiring sustained elite performance consistency. That competitive balance combining established elite opponents (Real Madrid, Bayern) alongside ascending threats (Lille, Dortmund) suggests meaningful championship-level testing supporting their European ambitions.
This regulation feels strategically important for Arsenal’s European trajectory. Rather than viewing the Prague away-fixture prevention as disadvantageous, their comprehensive grouping combined with their Real Madrid home advantage establishes meaningful foundation supporting their championship defence objectives.
Their Budapest final disappointment combined with this season’s elevated competitive scheduling suggests genuine opportunity for meaningful European progression throughout their demanding group phase campaign.
Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus Trains Separately From Arsenal Squad as Napoli Pursue Serie A Striker Target Ahead of Transfer Window Closure
Gabriel Jesus has been training away from Arsenal’s established squad structures as negotiations continue regarding his potential Napoli departure, establishing genuine transfer uncertainty transcending purely speculative transfer gossip.
Massimiliano Allegri’s explicit preference for the Brazilian striker combined with Napoli’s continued pursuit suggests substantive engagement rather than peripheral interest, validating Jesus’ separated training status reflecting genuine transfer progression likelihood.
Jesus’ contract expiration approaching next summer establishes genuine Arsenal leverage motivating their attempted final-window cash generation, suggesting institutional recognition that current transfer opportunity represents their last meaningful financial recovery prospect. That urgency combined with his training separation indicates deliberate negotiating position rather than purely disciplinary measure, validating Mikel Arteta’s transparent communication regarding individual player management during transfer uncertainty periods.
Napoli Pursue Strategic Striker Solution Following Lukaku Departure
Romelu Lukaku’s Fenerbahçe agreement established necessary financial foundation enabling Napoli’s Jesus pursuit, suggesting systematic striker replacement philosophy supporting Allegri’s tactical requirements. That structured approach indicating Napoli’s deliberate attacking reinforcement strategy rather than reactive desperation suggests genuine championship-level investment supporting their Serie A competitive objectives.
Jesus’ reported hesitance regarding Napoli relocation combined with Napoli’s measured pursuit suggests potentially contentious negotiation requiring sustained diplomatic engagement transcending purely financial arrangement.
Arteta Maintains Transparent Player Communication Throughout Transition
Arteta’s explicit recognition of individual player circumstances combined with his emphasis upon meaningful conversation quality establishes mature management philosophy prioritising honest engagement during transfer uncertainty. His characterisation of difficult conversations as “inevitable” combined with his satisfaction regarding their substance suggests appropriate institutional handling of complex personnel situations requiring simultaneous competitive focus and individual player accommodation.
This transfer situation feels strategically important for Arsenal’s financial planning and squad management. Rather than pursuing indefinite Jesus retention despite his evident transfer interest, they facilitate realistic transfer negotiations whilst maintaining squad professionalism.
That balanced approach combined with their recognition of his contract timeline suggests pragmatic institutional decision-making supporting long-term squad sustainability throughout their upcoming competitive campaign.
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