Arsenal get slaughtered

Via EuroNews

By Zach Ricchiuti

Bayern's manhandling of Arsenal made it clear just where these two sides sit in the hierarchy of European soccer.

As an Arsenal fan, I try to avoid writing articles about them. If I did, they’d be mostly reactionary, angry and bitter pieces peppered with some disbelief over how they could possibly through away a game (coughBLACKBURNcough). But Arsenal’s utter capitulation to Bayern Munich on Feb. 19 can’t be ignored, because it served the double purpose of exposing the frailties of this Arsenal side while also highlighting just how good Bayern are.

The reality was that the match was lost before the two sides even entered the stadium. Two years ago, Arsenal gave Barcelona a rare hiding in London, just a week after squandering a four-goal lead to Newcastle. The difference between those two performances was a clinical 2-0 victory against Wolves in between; Arsene Wenger played his best 11 during the match as preparation, ensuring their confidence in the days leading up to the Barca showdown would remain high. 

But this time, Wenger chose the exact opposite approach. He rested Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott against Blackburn. Not only did Arsenal lose, they did it without valuable reps for their creative hub and goal-scoring threat.

The mistakes didn’t end there. Tactically, the team looked confused and disoriented versus Bayern. Arsenal attempted to flood the midfield with an eye toward hitting their opponents on the break, but they had trouble remaining disciplined. Their midfielders often found themselves caught too far upfield, forcing Mikel Arteta to cover the area in front of the back four by himself. It was no surprise that the first goal came off a shot directly in front of the defense, where Arteta would have been if he had any help.

Yet even if Arsenal had remedied those issues more quickly, it still would have been tough going. Bayern is simply a behemoth of a club, comparable only to Barcelona. They’ve appeared in two out of the last three Champions League finals. They’ve turned a profit every year for the last 16 years, despite spending millions on players. Arjen Robbin and Mario Gomez are two of the most fearsome attackers in Europe, but on this team they’re no longer considered starters. And after beating out a slew of upper-tier teams for manager Pep Guardiola, Brazilian forward Neymar is now rumored to be leaning toward Bayern over the Spanish giants.

That depth makes them a fearsome squad, featuring some of the most technically advanced players on the continent. This generation of German footballers often sound more like sleek robotic equipment, but that is often the best comparison. Pace and technique are the foundation, allowing them to systematically dismantle opponents like Arsenal.

So how does Arsenal catch up? Wenger insists that he believes this team is quality, and that is at least partially true. But their confidence and depth are woeful, and Wilshere and Walcott are often without adequate support. Just four players remain from the starting 11 that beat Barcelona in 2011, and most of the newcomers do not qualify as improvements. There remains much work to be done before they measure up to Bayern, which appear to be in pole position for a return to the Champions League final. And with the German squad looking stronger every week, Arsenal might be better setting its sights on next season, because as of now, it looks like Bayern will be impossible to stop.

Zach Ricchiuti is a contributor and resident soccer expert at Began in '96.