[Player Ratings] Bayern Munich 0-2 Arsenal: A Heroic Failure As Pride Is Restored

Arsenal put in a superb performance, particularly at the back, to beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in their own back yard. Sadly, it wasn’t enough and we crashed out of the Champions League on the away goals rule. 

Olivier Giroud gave us the perfect start as he tapped home Theo Walcott’s low cross to grab a vital early goal after just three minutes, and Laurent Koscielny ensured it was a nervy last 5 minutes after heading home a second late on, but we couldn’t find the third we needed and Bayern progressed on away goals.

We were excellent at the back, the whole back five were superb and deserve to stick together at least for Swansea away on Saturday. We were pretty average going forward and didn’t create too much. We struggled to keep hold of the ball in the final third, which was frustrating. You get the feeling if we were really on our game Bayern were there for the taking. Dare i say Jack Wilshere could have made the difference? We’ll never know, but it was a superb effort from the lads and pride has certainly been restored.

Arsenal Ratings

Fabianski – 8 – Excellent return. Nobody predicted Fabianski would come in after a year out the first team and put in a performance like this and keep Bayern at bay. Deserves to keep his place for the weekend.

Jenkinson – 8 – Superb. Dealt with the ‘tricky’ Robben well and always gives his all for the team. Attitude typified when he bust a gut to close down Robben as he was clean through on goal and his presence put the Dutchman off.

Mertesacker – 8 – MUCH better from the big man. Was all over the place against Spurs but showed he’s capable of being a solid defender and put his body on the line when called upon.

Koscielny – 9 – Outstanding. MOTM by a mile. He marshalled the back line and took his goal well. Should definitely keep his place.

Gibbs – 8 – Another excellent display from the final member of the back five. Solid return from Gibbsy after six weeks out and kept Muller quiet.

Arteta – 6 – Steady shift from Mikel but lost the plot in the final few minutes giving away a series of needless, and frustrating, fouls. Still not the athletic ball-winner we need protecting the back-four but he always gives his best for the team.

Ramsey – 6 – OK from Rambo. Gave away far too many cheap balls in the first half and didn’t really stamp his authority on the game. Subbed.

Rosicky – 6.5 – Started very poorly, passing out of play three times in the first 10 minutes, but settled in to the game and is still a driving force going forward and played his part in the opener with a clever lay-off to Walcott.

Cazorla – 6 – Very quiet from the little Spaniard, particularly in the second half. Saw little of the ball out on the left and didn’t fare much better when he was moved into the middle. Still showed little flashes of his brilliance when he was on the ball, but just didn’t happen enough.

Walcott – 5.5 – Great cross to find Giroud for the opener and almost found a team mate with another fizzing cross shortly after. But struggled to get into the game from then on and was eventually subbed.

Giroud – 6 – Was on hand to tap home the first from close range but was largely a frustrating game from the Frenchman. Couldn’t really get hold of the ball and fluffed a lay-off to Cazorla that would have given the midfielder a tap in.

Subs:

Gervinho – 6 – Went close with a neat bit of skill but his shot bobbled agonisingly wide.

Chamberlain – 6 – Couple of lively runs down the right but final ball let him down on occasion.

A special mention for the referee who was truly awful. Far too whistle happy and quick to get his cards out, and fell for the Germans ‘antics’ all night. You expect better at this level.

Overall, it was an excellent display from the team but unfortunately the damage was done in the first leg. We gave ourselves too much to do but nobody gave us a hope in the away leg and we proved that with a bit of organisation at the back, we’re capable of beating the best. Let’s use this as a springboard for the Premier League run-in.

You can watch the goals here if you didn’t catch the game.

What did you think of the game? What were your player ratings? Get involved in the comments section below.