Friday, February 22, 2013

Arsenal 1-3 Bayern Munich: Match report and pictures | The Sun ...

Out in the last 16 of the Champions League, out of the FA Cup, out of the Capital One Cup and out of the running for the League, maybe even a top-four finish.

Apparently billionaire shareholders Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov were both in the capital last night watching — and grimacing for much of it probably.

Mind you, the match began amid red flares and a vibrant atmosphere with Arsenal fans baying for a reaction after the FA Cup exit to Blackburn at the weekend.

All of a sudden the imperious German champions-elect clicked into gear and Arsenal could not cope. And in the seventh minute they were behind.

The Welshman missed it and the ball bounced twice on the way through the area to Toni Kroos, who pounced on it in a flash.

He got a first-time shot away before Arsenal centre-back Pers Mertesacker could get in his block and the ball drilled into the turf and beyond Wojciech Szczesny.

Elegant, classy and smooth. They bossed possession, sprayed the ball around with consummate ease and revelled in putting on a show.

On the rare occasions when they lost the ball they hunted in packs eager to win it back — and invariably they did. It was reminiscent of another great team from back in the day — oh what were they called? Oh yes, that's right — Arsenal!

The visitors are on a crest of a wave. Running away with the Bundesliga, they came to North London yet to concede in 2013.

So when they went 2-0 up in the 21st minute an inevitable feeling swept over The Emirates — tie over!Franck Ribery started it all with a stunning crossfield pass to Philipp Lahm, whose cross was turned behind for a corner. Daniel van Buyten rose at the near post to power in a close-range header.

Szczesny reacted quickly to parry it but in doing so served it up on a plate to Muller, who rifled the rebound into the roof of the net.

Ominous. Last year's beaten finalists looked so in command that it seemed as if they were playing in their own Allianz Arena. But that 'pleasure' still awaits Arsenal.

They went in knowing it could have been worse. In injury time, Mario Mandzukic steered a header just beyond a post after stealing in unnoticed.

Or no hands at all as it turned out. The German international keeper is rightly regarded as one of the best in the world.

Neuer ventured off his line towards the six-yard line in a bid to claim a cross but was blocked off by a crowd of players.

As he stood forlornly with his arms by his side, the ball fell to Lukas Podolski who could not believe his luck and made no mistake with an opportunist header.

There was some dissent in the ranks, though, when Wenger made a double substitution with 19 minutes to go. Not because Tomas Rosicky replaced Ramsey but because goalscorer Podolski was making way for Olivier Giroud.

But then Walcott crossed and Giroud let fly but straight at the keeper. Wenger shook his head. It was almost a masterstroke.

How crucial a miss it was became cruelly apparent 13 minutes from time. Mandzukic laid the ball off left to sub Arjen Robben, who scampered forward and then rolled it into the path of Lahm.

He cut the ball across the six-yard area where Bacary Sagna desperately tried to intervene before Mandzukic could apply the finishing touch.

He did not make it, instead kicking the ball against the tall striker and watching in horror as the ball looped up and in the net.

And all to the sound of "Football's coming home" and "We only sing when we're winning" from the joyous Germans. Ouch!

Link: FC Magna Wiener Neustadt - SV Ried [Live Football]

No comments:

Post a Comment