Bayern Munich produced a solid display as
they brushed Arsenal aside to come away with a 3-1 away win at the Emirates in
the 1st leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash.
Against an Arsenal team that looked low on confidence and a bit disjointed,
Bayern took full advantage to thrust open the gates and take a stranglehold on
their Round of 16 tie.
Arsene Wenger chose to start Theo Walcott
in a central role up front with a midfield 5 led by Jack Wilshere. Due to Nacho
Monreal being cup tied and Kieran Gibbs injured, captain Thomas Vermaelen
started at left-back which left Per Mertesacker to partner Laurent Koscielny in
central defence. There were no surprises in the Bayern line-up as Jupp Heynckes
opted for his tried and tested unit this season.
The game started off at a super tempo with
both teams playing some end-to-end football. Though Arsenal had good possession
they failed to create any real openings from it. Bayern on the other hand
looked more incisive and took the lead in the 7th minute, when Toni
Kroos thundered in a right footed effort from outside the box which had the
beating of Wojciech Szceszny. On 21 minutes, the deficit was doubled as Thomas
Mueller took full advantage of some hapless defending from Arsenal. The
Bavarians took control of the midfield and effectively snuffed out all of
Arsenal’s chances as their key men in Walcott, Wilshere and Cazorla were
completely isolated.
The Gunners began the second half much
better with Wilshere coming into his own. Driving them on from midfield, he
began to win more of his battles with Bayern’s enforcers Bastian Schweinsteiger
and Javi Martinez. The spell of sustained pressure yielded a goal as former
Bayern man Lukas Podolski found himself free in the penalty box to head home on
55 minutes when Manuel Neuer came off his line to collect the corner and missed
it. With no further breakthrough coming, Wenger brought on striker Olivier
Giroud and he had an immediate impact as he almost drew Arsenal level; his
effort saved by Neuer.
But, Arsenal were shaky at the back all
night and every time Bayern ventured forward, they looked capable of opening
Arsenal up. On 77 minutes, Arjen Robben, on as a sub for Franck Ribery, latched
onto a through ball on the right and passed up to an overlapping Philip Lahm
whose low cross was deflected in by Mario Mandzukic.
This latest loss heaps more pressure on
manager Arsene Wenger as Bayern literally have 1 foot (if not both feet) In the
Quarterfinals and Arsenal look down the road at another season without a
trophy.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Toni Kroos - was superb on the night with his passing and vision. Initiated most of Bayern's attacks and ventured forward to assist in attack grabbing the opener in the process. Struggled a bit when Wilshere upped his game, but by then he'd done his bit to secure Bayern a resounding win.
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