Originally Posted by
Letters
I mostly agree with this although I saw the second half last night and thought we did OK.
This is not a "weak" Bayern side, for all their domestic wobbles this year they're still a good side with a load of experience at this level. We closed them down well and restricted them to few chances. After their goal the game became more open so inevitably that gave Bayern more chances but even then I thought we defended well. We were ineffective up front and that is a bit of a concern but not a surprise. You're not going to get many chances in a game like this, when they do come along you need someone clinical who can take them. We know we don't have that in our locker right now.
I don't agree with Chippy that the Villa performance was "piss poor" either, first half we dominated them, on another day we could have been a couple of goals up at half time. Villa are a good side. Disappointing result certainly - I'm still more annoyed about that one than last night - but it wasn't a thumping against a side who should be cannon fodder for us.
I see this team as a work in progress. I do feel there's been some progression since last year. 4 points from Liverpool, 4 points from City. They've been standing up in some of the big games that failed in last season. But if we do completely collapse now then that would be very worrying and make me think Arteta can't take us any further. We have to beat Wolves, go top and put a bit of pressure on. I suspect it won't worry City, but they might have a bit of a CL hangover themselves, if Chelsea beat then at the weekend (unlikely, I suspect) then maybe they'll have a wobble and we could get back in it.