Five Things Learnt from Arsenal’s loss

Bayern Munich tear Arsenal apart at Allianz

Arsenal suffer a heavy defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena and have all-but sealed their early elimination from this season’s Champions League.

All will be explained later about how they could possibly still finish second, but here are SillySeason‘s Five Things learnt from Bayern Munich‘s 5-1 win against the Gunners.

5) Laurent Koscielny is vital to Arsenal

Sadly for Arsenal, Laurent Koscielny missed the game in Munich as a precaution to a hip injury sustained.

Arsene Wenger may have had one eye on the North London Derby on Sunday, so he left Koscielny on the bench and started Gabriel Paulista.

Although Gabriel has been solid for the Gunners, he’s not Koscielny and the Arsenal defence is a lot worse without the Frenchman.

Robert Lewandowski‘s goal was horrific defending from the Premier League side as they somehow left the most lethal striker on the planet unmarked six-yards out.

4) Mathieu Debuchy is struggling

It must be hard for Debuchy. He’s only playing the odd one or two games here and there because of Hector Bellerin, but when he does play, he doesn’t impress.

Torn apart against Sheffield Wednesday last week, you can only imagine what happened to him this evening.

His position is shocking, his attacking threat is way off the mark and his defending is not up to scratch either.

3) Bayern Munich are stunning

What a team they are.

Superb to watch and just so lethal when they’re on the ball.

The pace they have down the wings is supplemented superbly with Robert Lewandowski up front and Thiago pulling the strings in midfield.

Pep Guardiola will surely want to win that first Champions League for his Munich tenure this season?

They look a safe bet as it stands.

2) North London Blow?

You’ve just got to wonder what a hammering like this could do to the player’s confidence.

They were in great form going into the game, winning games comfortably and keeping clean-sheets, but tonight will be a blow for morale.

They should be up for a North London Derby no matter what, but on the back of a result like this, it could take a lot to jeer themselves up.

1) Arsenal need a Greek miracle

So after the defeat in Germany, it leaves Arsenal bottom of the group on three points, level with Dinamo Zagreb, who lost late on to Olympiakos.

Bayern Munich and the Greek side are currently joint top on nine points, meaning Arsenal need to win both their remaining games to qualify.

However, due to their loss to Olympiakos in game-week two, in order to progress, they will have to beat them by two-clear goals in Greece and hope that Munich also beat them in game-week five.

Makes sense? Good.

 

So there are our Five Things learnt from Bayern Munich’s emphatic win over Arsenal.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt