Thomas Tuchel said something in the aftermath of the game that resonated about how Arsenal are trying to handle the extra challenges Champions League football brings. “It is the most beautiful competition but the most difficult competition that we play,” he said.
Arsenal are still getting to grips with it, which is not altogether surprising considering this is broadly a new team taking big steps in this compellingly beautiful and difficult land.
Mikel Arteta’s side look all grown up in the Premier League right now, but they are still growing up in the Champions League. They are trying that bit too hard to impress, doing silly things at times — there is still a touch of a teenager galavanting around town about these turbulent games.
After the slog of Porto in the last round, Bayern Munich showed up to remind Arsenal that the European learning curve exists on a different plane from whatever is happening in the domestic scene.
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The Champions League knockout rounds are proving to be significant tests of character.
In a packed-out Emirates eager for progress, Arsenal started buoyantly but soon realised they were not playing at their most fluent or most controlled. They winced at the uncharacteristic mistakes they made. William Saliba and Gabriel have been the backbone of this season’s resurgence, yet both wobbled. Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, such leading lights lately, found the going tougher than usual. Passes were rushed, possession was ceded, and clear chances were hard to carve out. As a team, they still get a bit carried away by the Champions League. So much effort, so much emotion, so much edginess.
The night began with a moment that electrified the all-home crowd. Bukayo Saka’s opening strike was curled in with laser precision. The searing optimism was pierced, though, as Bayern recovered to swiftly overturn Arsenal’s lead.
It was odd to see the Premier League’s meanest defence suddenly so jittery. Out rushed David Raya, Gabriel seemed to catch sight of him and lose focus, and Bayern were on them in a flash. Then Jakub Kiwior lost track of Leroy Sane, who sashayed past four challenges, and Saliba took him down. One nil up, two one down.
Saka celebrates his opening goal (Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)
These are the kind of lessons meted out on this stage. “Maybe it happened before and you don’t get punished — but this is the level,” admitted Mikel Arteta. “We gave them things that you have to earn. Against these kinds of players, this opposition, especially when they have space, you know they can punish. We let them run in on a few occasions. That’s something in the return leg that we have to do much better.”
The good news was that Arsenal picked up. Arsenal didn’t cave completely. Arsenal dug their way back into the tie.
Arteta deserved some satisfaction for the way he reacted in the second half. He rearranged his team in search of greater balance. Oleksandr Zinchenko slotted in and brought some composure on the ball, Rice slipped back to sit in front of the back four, and Havertz dropped into left midfield. A front three of Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard were ready to ask more questions. The adjustments realigned Arsenal and reset them.
Relief arrived when Saka found Jesus, whose twinkly toes opened up the space to tee up Trossard, who finished with ruthless accuracy.
Back level. Then came the next test for Arsenal. With the tie hanging in the balance, they faced the question of how to handle the latter stages. Should they push on to search for a winner or protect what they clawed back and make sure not to lose? It is another important aspect of the maturing process in the Champions League. If you can’t win, don’t get beat.
“If the game is there for the taking, raise the level of risk and commit more players forward. If the game isn’t, be careful,” Arteta explained. “Game state gives you a lot of information.”
But the game state remained unstable. Kingsley Coman hit the post before Saka burst through in the last seconds and into a collision with Manuel Neuer. He was furious to be denied a penalty. Overall, this was not a contest that screamed composure.
Kane — who else? — scores a penalty for Bayern (Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)
The whole European campaign has had this undertone of excitement. Can Arsenal dare to believe they belong as a serious contender? They are learning, trying to convince themselves, on the job.
All in all, Arteta accepted the result and he is hopeful that some of the lessons will serve his team well going forward.
“That’s experience and they have done really well,” he said. “There are moments in games that are very defining. Especially in the Champions League. Now I sense the belief that we’re going to go to Munich with the chance to win it and we’re going to be better in certain areas.”
He is adamant his team continue to improve. Well, this was a big step up from the wave of 1-5 scorelines for starters.
(Top photo: Ian Kington/IKImages/AFP via Getty Images)
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