Match reaction v Bayern

[IBK]

My thoughts on last night - FWIW.

I have little or no criticism for the team or the manager on last night's performance. I thought Wenger got his initial tactics spot on, and we were all over Bayern in the first 20 mins or so (Kroos' shot notwithstanding).

The penalty miss was a crushing blow, however, from which we never really recovered, and it was compounded by Gibbs' injury which again disrupted the team balance. After the sending off there was pretty much nothing Wenger could do as far as giving us any kind of attacking outlet was concerned. The Kroos goal was a wonderstrike, and to concede so late after defending heroically for so long against the European Champions was a crying shame. The boys can hold their heads up despite the result.

But...it is saying something when we face a knockout CL game against the CL holders and the best team in Europe with a rookie Ligue 2 player as our sole striker - I mean really, think about it! And Ozil should have been subbed after 20 mins when it was obvious that he had been destroyed mentally by his penalty miss. As for the penalty - there is a truism that the player who has won the penalty should never take it - and this is particularly the case when you are facing the best GK in the world who pretty much knows you inside out. If Ozil was a demon penalty taker, then perhaps let him go - but he ain't. A big mistake for me there.

Heroics aside - the game was a microcosm of Arsenal's recent history. We simply cannot seem to beat the bigger teams when it matters.

[fakeyank]

Because that was what we were promised when our directors & manager ( all shareholders ) wanted to convince us to leave Highbury to a shiny new stadium that would double revenue etc. With this promise in mind we have gone from Henry & DB10 to Sanogo & Giroud in 10 years - and some of you still think we're progressing.

That made me shed a tear, literally..

[JonasTC]

Because that was what we were promised when our directors & manager ( all shareholders ) wanted to convince us to leave Highbury to a shiny new stadium that would double revenue etc. With this promise in mind we have gone from Henry & DB10 to Sanogo & Giroud in 10 years - and some of you still think we're progressing.

Then why are you still a fan? :D

[Globalgunner]

Different size clubs, different ticket prices, different expectations.

It's all relative to where you are in the game, for a smaller club winning is being in the PL, for larger clubs the goals are different and ultimately success is this goal.

I think what many believe here is that whats good for Wenger is good for the club, trophies are those things that rich clubs buy. We are known paupers in the real scheme of things

[Dein-machine]

My thoughts on last night - FWIW.

I have little or no criticism for the team or the manager on last night's performance. I thought Wenger got his initial tactics spot on, and we were all over Bayern in the first 20 mins or so (Neuer's shot notwithstanding).

The penalty miss was a crushing blow, however, from which we never really recovered, and it was compounded by Gibbs' injury which again disrupted the team balance. After the sending off there was pretty much nothing Wenger could do as far as giving us any kind of attacking outlet was concerned. The Neuer goal was a wonderstrike, and to concede so late after defending heroically for so long against the European Champions was a crying shame. The boys can hold their heads up despite the result.

But...it is saying something when we face a knockout CL game against the CL holders and the best team in Europe with a rookie Ligue 2 player as our sole striker - I mean really, think about it! And Ozil should have been subbed after 20 mins when it was obvious that he had been destroyed mentally by his penalty miss. As for the penalty - there is a truism that the player who has won the penalty should never take it - and this is particularly the case when you are facing the best GK in the world who pretty much knows you inside out. If Ozil was a demon penalty taker, then perhaps let him go - but he ain't. A big mistake for me there.

Heroics aside - the game was a microcosm of Arsenal's recent history. We simply cannot seem to beat the bigger teams when it matters.

Agree with your comments IBK but in fact you do go on to criticise Wumger. Its his fault we had to play Sonogo, its his fault we didn't bring off Ozil when everyone else in the stadium knows he's not going to create much when having to defend & he can't defend. Its his fault he didn't take penalty duties off of Ozil after his pathetic attempt in group stage.

[IBK]

Then why are you still a fan? :D

Because he's not a plastic glory hunter?

[Dein-machine]

Then why are you still a fan? :D

I will always be a fan, long after Mr Wenger has departed.

[IBK]

Agree with your comments IBK but in fact you do go on to criticise Wumger. Its his fault we had to play Sonogo, its his fault we didn't bring off Ozil when everyone else in the stadium knows he's not going to create much when having to defend & he can't defend. Its his fault he didn't take penalty duties off of Ozil after his pathetic attempt in group stage.

Fair point - in terms of team approach and performance I can't fault manager or players in general. Re Sanogo - its Wenger's fault that we are reduced to playing him in such an important game, but that's to do with his transfer policy rather than his approach to last night. Similarly, I agree 100% with your comments re Ozil.

[Özim]

Taking Oxo off was a shocking decision IMO though, he has pace an eye for goal and was working hard, don't get why he took him off at all when others should have been taken off instead.

I think overall Wenger did well yesterday, as pointed out perhaps not taking Ozil out of the line of fire and us relying on a kid up front due to him not signing as striker together with the Oxo sub were the only mistakes (us relying on a kid up front due to him not signing as striker was a mistake but one made last summer/january).

[Dein-machine]

Taking Oxo off was a shocking decision IMO though, he has pace an eye for goal and was working hard, don't get why he took him off at all when others should have been taken off instead.

I think overall Wenger did well yesterday, as pointed out perhaps not taking Ozil out of the line of fire and us relying on a kid up front due to him not signing as striker together with the Oxo sub were the only mistakes (us relying on a kid up front due to him not signing as striker was a mistake but one made last summer/january).

He took Oxo off against Liverpool aswell with the score at 2-1. He was the only one looking to go forward at the time. If they had scored an equaliser, he had taken away our only chance of winning the game at home.