Arsene Wenger knows that facing an angry Bayern Munich on their own patch isn’t going to be easy and as such he’s urged his players to be disciplined in the way they defend.
Concerned that unnecessary fouls and yellow cards could play into the hands of the Bundesliga champions the boss laid down the gauntlet to his injury-hit squad as they look to avoid a defeat that would leave qualification to the Champions League knockout rounds out of their hands.
“Defensively discipline will be vital, of course, but I think we have players with experience at the back and what is important for us is that we show that discipline,” the manager said last night.
“We don’t want to get stupid yellow cards and we don’t want to commit undue fouls. We need to manage a good balance between being committed and not giving fouls away.
“We are in a period where we are doing well and that should convince the players that they’re doing something right.
“We have a good togetherness and I believe we really a team who stick together when things don’t go well.
“We will certainly have some uncomfortable moments during the game tomorrow night but that will be a good opportunity to show our togetherness.
“In good periods of the game we want to attack. What we want is to play to win. When you’re Arsenal and have won everywhere in Europe, even here, it means we will try to win the game.
“Are Bayern a great team? Yes, but it’s a good challenge for us as well to show that we have the quality to compete with them.”
Our discipline has already let us down this season *casts knowing look at Monsieur Giroud’s antics in Zagreb* so the boss isn’t wrong about urging the players to defend with their head. Even without the injured Ribery and Gotze Bayern have a series of tricky customers; particularly Douglas Costa who’ll be going up against the somewhat rusty Mathieu Debuchy.
On the plus side, we do have Petr Cech in goal; a man with fond memories of the Allianz Arena given it was where he won the 2012 Champions League final. On that occasion, he saved Arjen Robben’s penalty in extra-time and in the shoot-out repelled efforts from both Ivica Olić and Bastian Schweinsteiger. More of that please.
I like the idea of avoiding stupid cautions.
“you’re going to the continent? Don’t drink the tap water!”
for example. A stupid caution. To be avoided.
“don’t shit in that, it’s a bidet not a toilet.”
Never rub another man’s rhubarb
I think we’ll lose tonight but still qualify via a couple of victories against the other two sides. We had the rub of the green at the Grove last time but at home the Germans will probably nick it. They are under massive pressure because a defeat to us tonight would put their qualification in real doubt – that’s why Bayern will win.
Shame that Theo’s injured: this would have been a perfect game for him. His pace on the counter-attack could have really hurt the Germans.
But Bayern will win 2-1.
Come on man, have some faith – you’re speaking as if it’s all wrapped up already!
i’m assuming you’re not a very happy person. you seem to be negative whenever you have the chance. Quit being a downer, bro.
To be honest, he is being realistic. Let’s hope he is wrong.
Our Youth team beat Bayern 2-0 at home, so did the full team.
Away they have drawn 1-1 today. Therefore…
If we lose tonight, Bayern and Olympiakos can both qualify by drawing in the next round. As it says in the blog (not sure if that’s a quote from le Prof or just a statement of fact), a defeat would leave qualification to the Champions League knockout rounds out of out hands. If we lose by one goal (as you predict), any result between Bayern and Olympiakos other than a draw puts qualification back in our hands. If we lose by two goals or more, we must hope Bayern also beat Olympiakos next round. 9 points may not be enough… Read more »
Fatgooner makes good points often enough. Bit on the negative side sometimes but I think his analysis here is close to what we’re all secretly thinking ( though obviously we’re hoping for more)
I think they need to keep an eye on the antics of the diving gargoyle that is robben!!! Him and ribery are buugly!!!
If I’m not mistaken, he got carded for diving in the box just this past weekend in their BuLi match against Frankfurt I think it was. I hope tonights ref keeps as close an eye and our boys don’t give Robben the slightest reason to tumble over.
Considering how many dives he has made over the years, and that he admits to it and claims he will never change.. referees are consistently naive and switched off when it comes to any game that he is playing in, particularly in the champions league.
Absolutely right. Just any Mexican – #noerapenal
*ask (doh!)
It’s ok though. We’ve always tended to have refereeing decisions go in our favour in Europe so we don’t need to worry about it
Nothing to say, but only to wish The Arsenal best of luck tonight! COYG
There is no doubt that we will sit back and look to soak up pressure for long periods so the inclusion of Debuchy does not worry me at all. He can be a better defender than Bellerin in games like this IF he is up for it and if he wants International recognition again he has to be. His heading ability,defensive positional play and tackling can be exceptional ,although not a patch on ‘Flash’ going forward of course.
I’ve not given up on this game tonight….
Sing your hearts out tonight boys…
COYG
All my support goes out to the boys for tonight’s game and will still remain with them no matter the outcome(Which I’m keeping faith will be favorable). I wish them the best!!! Get in lads….COYG!!! #StrongerTogether #OnwardsAndUpwards
No fouls in the first half but by all means kick Robben in the face in the 9th minute.
90th. Curse you, auto-correct!
Na, kick him in the 9th when the ref isn’t looking.
Come On You Bad Arse Gunners
Basically what he’s saying here is ‘Don’t breathe too hard on Robben when he’s near the penalty box’.
Suddenly, I don’t seem to care about what happens in Germany tonight beyond hoping that we don’t have more injuries. I am already looking forward to Sunday. Somehow, I am beginning to believe that we have a great chance to win the EPL, and I don’t want anything that would jeopardise that; not even the CL. I did not feel anything when exited the COC; thought Swansea was the real deal – glad we won that. If we win on Sunday, we have a stretch of 4 winnable games before City: West Brom, Norwich, Sunderland and Aston Villa. Imagine us… Read more »
Ok Andrew – was this you…. http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/a3106336.html 🙂
No!
Hope Robben won’t dive and fall as if he has been thrown from third floor..Hope Debuchy has gathered some pace..
Now if only we could issue some sort of cautionary tale to the UEFA refs about being bent cunts…