Respectable

Bayern 1 - 1 Arsenal 

(3-1 agg.)

A respectable game against the best team in Europe. As an Arsenal supporter thats all we could ask for,especially since the tie was already tarnished because of the red card in the first leg. Against a team like Bayern you need luck on your side, and Arsenal didn't have any, but by the end of the two legs Arsenal had respect.

The Good - OX once again was lively aggressive and Arsenal's best player by far.  His runs with the ball were tremendous, every time Arsenal were backed into their own half Ox would break out and go on a run and get into Bayern's half.  He's really turning into  a handful for defenders and really showed his skills against the best team in Europe.  One of things I like about Ox is how versatile his game has become, we've always known he could play in the middle and out wide, but it seems like he can play different styles in those positions.  Aggressive, physical, technical you name it Ox can play it, and tonight he was extremely aggressive and effective.

Podolski's finish was pure class.  The ease and power in which he was able to dispatch the goal showed the class he's capable.  Once he got away with the little tap on Lahm and rounded the corner, I just had a funny feeling he was going to score.  The guy has class and with Ozil hurt we're going to need him to step up in the coming fixtures.

 Fabianski -  I cant tell how much this guy has improved, I was one of those fans who thought Wenger should have kept Almunia over Fabianski.....I know right crazy, but that's how bad his decision making was. I know you all remember Sol Campbell's back pass to Fabianski at the Camp Nou or how about the FA Cup final against Chelsea. My how things have changed, Fabianski's performance tonight was excellent.  He looks way more solid and mature in his decision making and extremely athletic.  The save on the PK and then the reactions to get the rebound,was brilliant.

The Bad - The inability for Arsenal to keep the ball,was just not good enough for a team with the technical ability of Arsenal. Arsenal's ability to pass the ball and keep the ball was embarrassing at times.  There was a lot of lashing at the ball, kicking it anywhere when pressured, instead of having some composure to find the open man.  There were a few moments when Arsenal put some quick touches/passes together but all in all Arsenal didn't do a good job particularly in the midfield, where it really looked like Bayern successfully shut Arteta out the game.

The tactics, Arsenal really should have tried to press a little more, at least periodically to make it a little more uncomfortable for Bayern.  The way Arsenal played the firt 10mins in the first leg, should have been the blue print for the entirety this match. The team's mentality should have been lets let the chips fall where they may, and if we get destroyed on the counter, so be it, at least we went for it.  There would have been no shame in loosing to the best team in Europe, while trying to overturn 2 away goals at their stadium.

The Ugly - Robben diving. If there was a top ten most wanted list for diving then Robben would be serously pushing Suarez and Bale for that #1 position. Why do players dive? Because it works. The ref's continuessly fall for blatent dives, from players with the most notorious reputations for diving. If there is any doubt, then you have to deny the penalty, because you know the player drawing the foul is a con artist. If the refs start taking reputations into account for penalties, I think we could see a decrease in diving in the box.

Peace Out,
Blanco