Showing posts with label Bayern Munich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bayern Munich. Show all posts

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Arsenal Low on Cover as Bayern Clash closes in

Well, Well, Well, as I last wrote about the fragility in the squad despite strong performances in the premiere league, it feels that there is much more to it than it meets the eye.

Campbell finally makes his mark for Gunners
Yes, we pulled another victory last night against Swansea City with goals from the French duo (Giroud & Koscielny) once again along with the long lost child Joel Campbell who finally showed the skills to stick in the first team. Once again, Ozil took the front seat with Alexis Sanchez finding his 'born to kill' talent again on the pitch.

The result has left us level on top with Manchester City on points in the league while the latter takes top slot on goal difference. However, the result seems to have covered up the clear flaws which have been a problem for Arsenal. Particularly, the outcome of the Capitol One Cup exit to the hands of Sheffield Wednesday at their home.
Walcott back in infirmary.

Number one as highlighted in the earlier post is the number of injured players Arsenal now have so far after the League cup exit. Walcott and Chamberlain picked up injuries within the span of 20 minutes of the Capitol One Cup fixture and they joined Ramsey, Wilshere. Welbeck, Ospina, Arteta and Rosicky. None of them available for the UEFA Champions League tie with Bayern at Allianz Arena which leaves Giroud the lone central striker for Gunners till at least December.


Chamberlain out till Int'l break.
Moreover with no further addition during the transfer window, things have started to look quite tight with availability of strong back-ups in the midfield and as well as on the offense. The right flank especially is placed open for Joel Campbell who showed strong legs and fine set of talent for just one game now so far.

The other option is the Academy boy Alex Iwobi who has been in sparkling form in the youth team. Unfortunately, Santi Cazorla and Francios Coquelin have to be cautious and extra vigilant about their fitness level as they have no back-up so far.

Defense still a concern for Arsenal.
Second major problem which is seen in this past week is the complacency in the defensive line which resulted in a humiliating loss in Capitol One Cup and as well as gave Swansea City two absolutely clear goal opportunities which were ruined by Swansea striker Bafetimbe Gomis and cleared by Hector-Flash Bellerin. No matter how strong it may have been for Gunners to have Petr Cech as their ultimate savior, Arsenal back four should not be caught napping in any game.

This sort of stance is what Bayern would be looking for in the Arsenal team to exploit when they meet at Munich for another crunch tie which would determine the course of Arsenal's progress in the UEFA Champion's League this season. 

With full strength in the squad and a clear eye of vengeance, the German champions would strike hard against the Gunners at home and a slight lack of concentration could cause a lot of turbulence in the European competition as well as the title challenge in the Premiere League.

Tell us how what you think through a comment and thank you for reading patiently.

COYG! Salud. 






Sunday, October 25, 2015

Signs of Fatigue & Injury Loom Up Front despite Gunners Flying High

Hello again. It has been quite a thunderous run for Arsenal as they stole back to back home victories which includes a clear heist against the German giants Bayern Munich in their UEFA Champions League crunch tie. A game that has kept the hope alive for going through to the Last 16 round of the European competition.

The French duo doing the Magic against Everton

And just when some critics thought that complacency might stretch the hang over of that triumph into the Premiere League, Arsenal produced another superb performance against Everton with first half goals by Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny and then held on to the lead to take the top slot on the table for the night. Both Frenchmen have been extra ordinary this week with Koscielny being the most prominent name in the list of the league top center-backs season after season.


Ozil raising the level game after game
 However, the name that has stifled every critic's voice is of Mesut Ozil who has powered himself up in all the big games so far in the past few weeks. His performances have put a stop to the constant jibe of his price-tag since he signed for the Gunners two seasons ago.

All in All, Arsene Wenger's adaptability to the modern techniques and ever changing style of game play against the big sides is paying off healthy dividends and the cohesion of the defense wall with the Experienced Petr Cech is absolutely perfect, pushing the confidence sky high.

Sanchez has to take a break.
However, there has been a clear sign of fatigue in a player whose presence makes every opposition nervous on the pitch and he is none other than Alexis Sanchez. Although he seems to be pumped up for every game, he can't hide the level of fatigue when moving up front and the Gunner's boss has to give him rest in order for him to gain the strength he has to demolish opponents single handedly.

Another player who seems a bit out of ideas after a powerful display against Manchester United is Theo Walcott and his last two games of growing quietness gave Giroud a chance to start last night where the Frenchman proved to be the vital force in last night's victory. Although Walcott has not been bad at all during the Bayern game but missed chances may have stirred down his confidence a bit in his role as a central striker.

Another player gained by the club's medical staff is Aaron Ramsey whose hamstring has again started to give him problems before the season has not even reached halfway. His expected return will be after another make-or-break, tough, away gtie in CL against the wounded lions Bayern Munich and the international break. 

Joyous now but tough weeks ahead for Wenger
With no signings up front this past transfer window and complete confidence in the players to be fit with the support of the ever hardworking medical staff, Arsene Wenger has to take some precautions and calculated risks in squad rotation given how Wilshere, Welbeck and Rosicky seem like on the KIA list.

That may play into the fear of a slump which usually is the reason of Casualty for Arsenal season after season and Arsene Wenger would not want that to occur again given how his side has been performing so far in this season with all the Star players he has mustered to build a squad that is being termed the "Best" since the Invincible's Era.

Leave your thoughts below if you feel like by firing in a comment and thanks again for reading it patiently.


Cheers!!




Sunday, October 18, 2015

Gunners fired up as D-Day approaches in Champion's League

My oh My! The days have passed on too quickly despite the international break as Arsenal have progressed tremendously well ahead of make or break, back to back UEFA CL ties against the European giant Bayern Munich. 

Sanchez shines again
Another night of happiness and excitement drove the fans to the peak as Alexis Sanchez - the new talisman for Arsenal truly showed why he was signed by Wenger last season. 

After a sensational display against Manchester United at home where he earned a brace, Sanchez was there again to cause the Watford's backline a serious trouble at Vicarage Road as he finally break the deadlock after the hour-mark with his sixth goal in the league this season.

Ramsey finds the goal and so does Giroud.
Besides Sanchez, Super sub Giroud scored his fourth goal of the season after relieving Theo Walcott who found himself a bit rusty after performing greatly on the international duty. And finally after a long wait, Aron Ramsey's name made it on the score-sheet while Mesut Ozil is giving the critics moments after moments of silence through back to back brilliant performances for Arsenal.

Becoming the team's go to guy now, Sanchez has the work-rate that is not only impressive but quite contagious for the team. While on the other hand, Bellerin has practically killed any chance that remained for Mathieu Debuchy to feel motivated in fighting the place in the team whereas Monreal is emerging a silent hero on the backdrop for Arsenal, making his position secured on the left.

At the moment, Arsenal are sitting 2nd on the Premiere League table and have been getting stronger on practically all fronts but the real test is yet to arrive as they head into the "D-Day" in UEFA Champions League, hosting the ever dangerous Bayern first and visitng them at Allianz Arena the following week.

Bayern - the unbeatable force this season in Germany.

A team which is most feared in Europe at the moment despite the absence of their catalysts Arjen Robben & Franck Ribery and especially after the eminent departure of Bastian Schweinsteiger. Those name have been taken over by the lickes of Muller, Lewandowski, Vidal and ever green Xabi Alonso; all in supreme form with Bayern yet to drop a point in Bundesliga after winning all nine games since this season's start.

However, the first tie with Bayern is at home for Gunners and that would be a bit comforting and slightly alarming at the same time. For one, it is a crucial tie in Champions League group stage for Arsenal as that would decide whether they have a chance to progress ahead in the European competition. 

The comfort of playing it at home with the  crowd support is always encouraging but at the same time, the home record this season hasn't been that solid for Gunners as compared to the last season. Secondly, Bayern has beaten Arsenal at the Emirates on last two occasions so it could turn the crowd into jeering after producing a stunning display against United two weeks back.

So the threats are clearly there and Arsenal have to prove their mettle to make sure that they remain in the UEFA Champions League in the hopes of moving forward in the D-Day on Tuesday night.

What's your take on it? Leave your thoughts and point below and thank you once again for reading patiently.

COYG! Adios.