It wasn’t what Arsenal supporters wanted for a result on Tuesday, however, the final score did prove this club can compete with other big clubs on a biggest of stages.
It wasn’t the Gunners best performance of the season, however, it was enough to earn a 2-2 draw v Bayern Munich.
On the flip side of reality, two major Arsenal mistakes allowed Bayern’s two goals. I don’t believe these were mistakes because Mikel Arteta’s squad was inexperienced in such big games. I think mistakes are mistakes. We’ve seen them before, and we’ll see them again, but unfortunately, those two mistakes came at a really bad time.
The naysayers are all screaming Bayern has more experience and more nerve than Arsenal. They have already proclaimed Bayern the winner of this quarterfinal draw. Yes, going to Munich to play in Allianz Stadium will be an extremely difficult task for Arsenal, but don’t forget, this same scenario was in play just a short time ago at the Etihad in Manchester.
As far as individual performances go, Bukaya Saka, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard and Alex Zinchenko were the Gunners top players. Declan Rice had an average game, while Gabriel Martinelli and Jakub Kiwior seemed to struggle at times, with both eventually subbed off.
And of course let’s not forget the penalty/no penalty decision at the end of the match. Saka’s trip in the box was ultimately ruled a non penalty, however, whether it was or it wasn’t, VAR should have had the referee check the VAR monitor for himself before whistling the end of the game. I agree with Rio Ferdinand’s assessment that this was too big of a moment not to send the referee to the monitor for a second look. This is disappointing due to the importance of this match on the outcome of the tournament.
With that said, focus must now turn too Aston Villa. The Gunners make a brief return to the Premier League on Sunday, facing a club that has already defeated Arsenal in the reverse fixture on December 9th. Unai emery’s club return to emirates Stadium hoping to climb back into the league’s top four positions.
Again, this is a must win for Arsenal to remain on top of the league table.
There’s no time to look back, only time to look ahead.
COYG!
Gunner1953
Arsenal Women will host Manchester United at Emirates Stadium in a WSL clash on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta reports Ben White could be ready and available to play on Saturday at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Football London is reporting Arsenal is keen on a move for Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi.
Football Insider reports the Gunners will have no interest in selling Martin Zubimendi in January.
Mikel Arteta on signing a new contract, “We are all very much aligned. Whenever the time is right, we will get that done. There is nothing to be concerned about. We have the same ambition and the same will. Whenever we have the time, we will get that sorted.”
Yes GUNNERS a must win