Inconveniences are aplenty in the world of football. From your side’s most important player sustaining a season-long injury to being on the receiving end of officiating incompetence: misfortune can spring itself on any team and at any time. Theo Walcott’s anterior cruciate ligament injury and Martin Atkinson’s horror show at the Etihad have affected Arsenal this season, but there’s another form of bad luck that has continuously become detrimental to the Emirates Stadium outfit over the past three seasons – the Champions League draw. The Gunners have qualified from their respective group and disappointingly crashed out at the first hurdle, succumbing to Barcelona, A.C. Milan and Bayern Munich. Whilst it’s true that to be the best you’ve got to beat the best, you could forgive Gooners for feeling cursed over years gone by and this campaign is no exception to this trend as Bayern, who are only improved since the last time the two met, await at the round of sixteen stage.
Pep Guardiola knocked out Arsenal two seasons on the bounce with his all-conquering Barça and has only continued to revolutionise European football since moving to Bavaria. Bayern are, at time of writing, unbeaten and sixteen points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, looking better than ever under their Spanish tactician. It took no time for the former midfield metronome to install his philosophies at the Allianz Arena and the current brand of football played by Bayern is something all managers aspire to replicate with their respective teams in that the collective force of many prevails over the prowess of one individual.
Franck Ribéry defines this belief. Last season, the Frenchman received plaudits from every corner of the footballing world for his goals, assists and general wizardry on the left wing. Many claimed that Ribéry was Bayern’s most influential player during their historic treble winning campaign – backed up by his place in the Ballon d’Or top three – however, since the turn of the year, he has only made one appearance. How have ‘FC Hollywood’ coped without their brightest star? Just fine; Bayern have continued to dominate in his absence and are, in fact, yet to suffer defeat in the Bundesliga this season – it’s this self sufficiency that sets this side apart from the rest, both domestically and abroad.
Whilst it’s true that each player’s role is of the same significance, there are a few areas of the pitch that warrant specific attention. Defensively, Bayern will be tough to break down and they are also a force to be reckoned with in attack, however it’s the battle in midfield that will ultimately decipher who makes it through to the last eight. Guardiola’s recent starting line-ups suggest that we’ll see Thiago Alcantara and Philipp Lahm centrally, a completely different partnership to Bastian Schweinsteiger/Luiz Gustavo and Javi Martínez, who started against Arsenal last season, but by no means an inferior combination. Bayern lead Europe’s top five leagues with 70.5% possession per game and are second only to Paris-Saint Germain in terms of pass completion. This efficiency demands a patient response from most opponents, however Arsenal have the style of play to match this fluid approach with their own cohesive blend of similar repute. It’s imperative that Wenger impresses it upon his players that there’s no reason to fear their German counterparts in this regard, whilst also reminding them of what is it at stake over both legs, and doesn’t modify his tactics to let Guardiola’s well-oiled machine dominate the same fashion to how they walkover their opposition domestically. Philipp Lahm quipped that “it’s just nicer when the opponent plays football,”, instead of regressing deep into their own penalty box, and that’s exactly what Arsenal must continue to do: play football, their way.
Similarly, the importance of making an impression in the first leg cannot be understated. Arsenal have given themselves a mountain to climb at this stage over the past two campaigns by achieving nightmarish results to begin the tie. To avoid a repeat with similar consequences, the handbrake must be released from the moment the whistle blows, as was the case when Olivier Giroud smashed home Theo Walcott’s cross three minutes into the second leg at the Allianz Arena. This had an adverse effect on Bayern, who were understandably feeling confident after beating Arsenal 3-1 at home in the first leg, and inspired the rest of the team to continue applying pressure on their now vulnerable opposition. Ultimately, the 2-0 win proved too little, too late, but had the Gunners managed to perform in similar fashion in the first leg, who knows what might have transpired later in the tournament?
Mesut Özil has endured a somewhat turbulent start to life at Arsenal, but is by no means the ‘flop’ his doubters have heavily scrutinised. Even the German’s most devout advocate would, however, concede that his performances against the so called bigger teams have not reflected the world-class ability he possesses. Against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool [in the league] – all challenging for the title – #11 simply hasn’t stepped up when needed and instead of dictating the play, has used his talents ineffectively. I’m not implying that he’s performed badly, but there is definitely more within his capabilities that he can offer to the side. I believe there is a realisation on Mesut’s part that he can do better, there was evident improvement against Manchester United and Liverpool [in the FA Cup] recently, and perhaps we’ll see the £42.5m Özil Arsenal signed in the summer versus a few familiar faces from Die Mannschaft.
If the ex-Bundesliga playmaker can use his immense distributional skills to provide service to the wings, where Rafinha and David Alaba will likely vacate space throughout, it’s probable that Arsenal will achieve a lot of success. This will not be possible, though, if he isn’t able to evade Guardiola’s engine room. Özil escaped Sven Bender and Nuri Sahin in the group stage to great effect, continuously causing Borussia Dortmund problems at the Westfalenstadion. It’s essential to Arsène Wenger’s gameplan that he remains elusive all over the pitch, be it centrally or on the flanks, and if this is accomplished many sceptics may well convert into believers.
Arsenal are up against the best team on the planet, but Bayern are up against an outfit rabid with hunger. Irrespective of how much the media, bookies and punters doubt the Gunners’ chances, it’s very much a possibility that we’ll see the Champions League holders make a shock exit. It’ll take immaculate execution from every single player in red and white/yellow and blue for this to come to fruition and even some luck along the way, however revenge is a dish best served cold and when they’re on their game, Arsenal play at sub-zero temperatures.
An assortment of quotes from Bayern players regarding their round of sixteen opposition:
“They’re fighting for the championship, that’s not a coincidence: I believe they have developed as a team. They’ve become much stronger, the squad is more balanced. And they still play the way Arsenal always play.” – Philipp Lahm
“The Gunners play very beautiful football, they are the most difficult opponent we could have got. We are on eye-level with this top team from the Premier League.” – Thomas Müller
“Arsenal have led the Premier League in England for a lot of this season, so we are aware it will be a very big test. We got a very good result in London last season, but I think Arsenal are much improved now.” – Bastian Schweinsteiger
