Kevin Whitcher
Doctor, the patient is showing signs of life… After an abysmal start to Arsenal’s European campaign, the team demonstrated that, on any given day, they are capable of playing football that can beat any other side, no matter their reputation. And this, looking at their position in football’s rich list, is how it should be. Arsenal are, after all, in the top seven clubs in the game worldwide. It was reassuring to see what they are capable of and if they continue to perform this well, in spite of the Olympiacos win in Zagreb, they might yet manage to get out of their Champions League group.
A win was vital to keep their campaign alive, the combination of results required if the Gunners only gleaned a point a very long shot. And yet, the team played with an element of maturity, not going gung ho for the win and taking unnecessary risks. The stats indicate that Bayern had more attempts on goal, although it felt like a fairly even game until Giroud entered the fray for Walcott.
What struck me was that neither side played with the attacking intensity of Bayern’s previous two visits, both of which were great games of football for the neutral (albeit the first exhibition stuff by the Germans under Jupp Heynkes). This was because both sides demonstrated more caution and often cancelled one another out, wary of the threat of the opposition attacks. Arsenal worked hard to negate Bayern, and on the rare occasions they did have clear cut chances, they either missed the target or Petr Cech demonstrated the difference a top class keeper can make.
The home side’s own creative play saw excellent chances for a number of the forwards, more often than not Walcott, but their finishing lacked precision. Credit to Walcott for getting into positions to score, but before the opening goal, one pondered the decision to rely on what the club already had last summer in terms of a centre forward. Having said that, Robert Lewandowski failed to find the net last night, so it might be premature to call time on optimism about Walcott’s likelihood of developing into the prolific hitman he believes he can be. Doubts understandably remain, and the remainder of the season will give us the answer. His ability to fall for the Bayern offside trap was frustrating.
It required the entrance of Giroud to shake things up, and although one can wonder how much he knew about the opening goal, he was in the right spot to take advantage of Manuel Neuer’s uncharacteristic blunder. On the subject of goalkeepers, interesting to see that David Ospina has a timely injury. On the treatment table front, the loss of Aaron Ramsey to what looked like a pulled hamstring will presumably give Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain the opportunity to get a run in the side, unless the manager decides to play both Giroud and Walcott in the starting eleven. Assuming the Ox gets more game time, those who cannot see the wisdom of playing Ramsey wide right will see if Arsenal look like a more balanced side with the greater natural width provided by the Englishman. There is a thought that Ramsey is better at the defensive side of the game, and this is the reason he has previously got the nod, even though he seems more suited to a central role. Who knows how long the number 16 will be out, but it would inevitably prove a handicap if he misses a substantial part of the season.
Ultimately, given that Mesut Ozil’s goal was the last kick of the game, the difference between the two sides was the performances of the two keepers at key moments. That is not to deride Arsenal’s overall performance, as given the quality of the Bayern team, simply to match them for 70 odd minutes was a triumph in itself. The three points though, were vital, and mixing things up by bringing on Giroud tipped the balance. He looked a far more mature player in this company in terms of his all round game, and it is perhaps significant that he has outscored Walcott this season in spite of all the hype around the number 14.
So a night to enjoy and a memorable victory. A shame we could not have enjoyed such a match when the club faced Bayern during the knockout stage first legs in the previous two visits, but as a platform for the remainder of the European campaign it will certainly engender belief in the players. Such wins should build confidence and propel the side to greater things. That would require greater consistency in performances, and a run of matches without defeat. No question the team have it in them to do that, but ability and application are two different things.
Many, myself included, do not believe the club can win another Premier League title or the Champions League until there is a change of manager. I hope we are wrong. Last night’s performance might provide a reason to believe.
I am now on Twitter@KevinWhitcher01.
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