20 Feb 2013 13:53:02
Hi all,
This is my first post on the Arsenal forum, I am a United fan but really need to get something off my chest.

Firstly what is with all the rubbish in the papers about Arsenal being 'outclassed'? I'm sorry but this is utter rubbish and I am sure I'm not wrong here.

I saw 4 (in the main) very fortunate goals last night and a game of two halves. Barren were terrible for 10 minutes and scored a goal which although the finish of which was good the cross was utter sack! They then get a second through poor defending, an Arsenal mistake rather than Bayern superior class.

The second half Arsenal dominated but even there goal was fortunate in that firstly it should have been a corner and secondly Neuer was in (pardon the pun) no mans land!

The less said about the third Bayern goal the better but again pure luck and good fortune.

I am so tired of hearing Wenger getting slated its making me want to support Arsenal on a perm basis. All these critics are naive and the knee jerk reactions are immature.

Bayern were average last night and poised very very little going forward, the only players of theirs that really stood out for me were the two full backs, Schweinstiger and Martinez. The German even misses the return leg.

I think Arsenal can overcome this deficit and I really will pray they do.
Good luck Arsenal, because after all that's all you need here, a little bit of luck (just like Bayern had) and you are right back in this.

PJ

1.) 20 Feb 2013
I could not agree more.

Up to the first goal we were the better team, then it was very difficult as Bayern we able to sit back and all 4 goals had significant elements of luck. The problem is that when things are going for you luck seems to be on your side.

2.) 20 Feb 2013
Good to see someone put football over club rivalries, but in all fairness, we were rubbish.
it's not like we were complete garbage, but the kinda stature and style that we're used to seeing the club play in recent years is fading away and the frustration is getting to the fans.

people had the game figured out before the whistle went, but we still scored a cheap goal against a side that hadn't conceded this year, just missed an equaliser and all this without our best 11 out there. it's highly unlikely we'll win now, but the rubbishty part about this team is that you can't trust them to do or not do anything. one can dream.

3.) 20 Feb 2013
Up to the first goal we were the better team. they scored the first goal after 7 minutes

4.) 20 Feb 2013
The 2nd goal was real killer and the one that most annoyed me. Just such sloppy defending a real gift. Nobody attacking the ball when it come in nobody taking charge of their so called zones. Sczezny was also to blame and he just plamed it straight to Mulluer. O. k we were 1-0 early but you still in the game at that point so it so annoying to lose a 2nd goal from simple mistakes like that. It is failing to the basics right that cost Arsenal time and time again.

Bayern I though were a very well drilled side and disiplined but I did not think they were that spectacular and did not as ouclass us much as others make out we just let them take control in that first half and in 2nd half they could afford to sit back then with that lead.

Efficent team but far from unbeatable.

5.) 20 Feb 2013
I agree with the principle, and maybe us Arsenal fans (along with the media) can be over-critical, but the key thing you pointed out here is:

"Arsenal mistake rather than Bayern superior class"

I was not massively impressed with Bayern on a technical level, although they were very efficient and assertive. The thing that riles many fans is that we simply do not show the 'class' that we supposedly have - it was our utter lack of it that lost us the game to a strong but not outstanding team. (for the record I highly rate Bayern, but even last night they weren't at their best)

we do have some great players who our club persistently tell us to have faith in, but the team never really delivers over the full course of a season. for me at least, that is the issue to be taken from this tie - not Bayern's 'domination', but our insufficiency. and I must say I think it's more than 'luck' - Bayern went into this tie looking organised and as if they had studied our game. it seems to me that we always assume we are technically strong enough to win any game and have very little to fall back on when that is not the case.

I don't like whinging, but for me these criticisms of our team have some grounding. The criticisms of Wenger are of course quite misdirected but we have to be honest with ourselves when we just aren't playing well enough, particularly when it has been happening for some time and not really changing.

Oleg Maputo

6.) 20 Feb 2013
20 Feb 2013 15:09:35
dude. what are u talking?
4 unfortunate goals?
Bayern were fabulous at emirates. not at alianz arena?
ridiculous. we were outclassed. lahm on the right. ribery on the left.
the game was played in our half.
nonsense.
we scored a goal. which was not even a corner.
first half saw 1 goal attempt all 45 mts.
what on earth were you watching?

If you still believe we were not outclassed.
wait untill may 13. you can see us coming hammerd by bayern at their home ground.

we were unable to retain possession in first half. through out.
4 yeallow cards in one half?.
arteta and carzola didn't even touched the ball.

nonsense. only one decent run by walcot. saw an attack by arsenal.
even wenger reveled in post match conference. we were outclassed by a german champion.

I don't know what are you talking.
apart from wilshere. no one would walk into any top clubs of europe. may be walcot also.
our defence were awful.

7.) 20 Feb 2013
20 Feb 2013 17:22:45
For the united fan. Wondering if you would have stuck with ferg if he has gone trophyless for8 seasons in a row?

8.) 20 Feb 2013
Incredible it takes one of their fans to be objective.

Anyone who thinks we were played off the pitch has no idea.

Giroud equalizes and today this board is prob talking about winning the CL