This afternoon’s Arsenal v Bayern Munich match was watched closely by many of the Cult Football faithful. Though none of us had the pleasure of sitting alongside one another, we managed to make our opinions known before, throughout, and after the match. Read on for a recap of reactions – if you watched, we expect you’ll be able to sync our take with the action. (All times EST).
Rob
2:00 PM
Sanogo starts. Didn’t see that one coming.
Rob
2:54 PM
Oh god.
Sean
2:56 PM
Jesus Ozïl. Come on!
Sean
2:57 PM
Now Bayern will just start to slowly turn the screw.
Rob
3:09 PM
Oof. So close.
John
3:10 PM
If not for Neuer it’d be 2-0 Arsenal. Sanogo looks like he can’t even stay on his feet when he tries to control the ball. Am i missing something??
John
3:24 PM
Isn’t that a high foot from Robben before the foul by the keeper?
Rob
3:24 PM
So that’s that, then, eh?
Sean
3:25 PM
I think it was over after Ozïl’s miss
Rob
3:26 PM
Wtf.
John
3:27 PM
Or not…big defensive effort needed.
John
3:31 PM
Probably goes without saying but they need to protect Fabianski here too because if Robben gets the chance he will try to get him sent off as well. Also only have one sub left.
Rob
3:36 PM
Flat-cephalo bastard.
Eddie
3:49 PM
Just joined last 15. Scsze was in the air already towards to ball but I guess if the rule is stopping a clear goal scoring opp, he certainly did. I had no idea Ozil already missed a penalty. Wtf indeed. And I gather from various Sanogo comments that my assessment of him from last game not off. Was surprised with Carzola sub though instead of Sanogo. Someone at bar here (McFadden’s – anyone close by?) nurtured that Carzola was crap – that true? Well here we go!
Suman
3:54 PM
Just finished teaching..so it’s scoreless but 10v11? going to run to the closest establishment!
Eddie
3:55 PM
Here is how I’d instruct the team at half time in this situation. “Ok – gostan, gostan… A little bit more. Ok can park” Gostan is Singlish for “Go astern” which means to go in reverse. The above is typical Singlish instruction for parking a vehicle; car, bus, etc.
Suman
4:16 PM
Made it to the Downtown Ale House on Livingston by 62′ so missed the goal
Good news: couple TVs already tuned to FS2. Bad news: sound tuned to ’90s lite FM
Suman
4:23 PM
Had to wait for the bartender to stop yelling into her cellphone at someone in Russian to switch sound over from Jack & Diane. The bus is firmly parked. Sanogo needs to win and hold up when the Gunners do finally win the ball back. Kos lucky not to get called for a penalty on Muller there
Suman
4:30 PM
Fyi, Diego Costa 83′ so Atlético up 1-0 at San Siro
Suman
4:47 PM
Film damning for Flamini on both goals. Very good finishes though.
John
4:51 PM
I feel really bad for you arsenal fans (I know sympathy from a spurs supporter might be annoying rather than appreciated) but helluva team effort and now the job looks daunting, especially with your number one keeper in the Allianz arena. Three big things changed the game – the penalty miss, the sending off, and the decision to start sanogo – which worked when killing the game, but meant you had an impotent attack.
Rob
5:01 PM
Kind to say. And all three came down to conscious decisions, if split-decision in 2 cases. I thought the team played well for much of it, but we are well hog-tied now.
Sumit
5:15 PM
Have not watched a bit but here is one 2nd half stat: gooner passing 38/64, bayern passing 529/543.
John
5:54 PM
So this week in the champions league:
Home teams (group runners up): 0
Away teams ( group winners) 9
Eddie
7:03 PM
Two down against Bayern with ten men is about as good as we can hope for. I missed the first half hour but on evidence of the rest of the game, I cannot agree that we played well unless playing well means being a bus. If we reacted to the sending off the way Man City responded, then I would have said we played well. Pep had the measure of this Arsenal team and some. Sumit’s sharing if the passing stats telling. To think Arsenal is the best passing team in England. Did you see how three players closed down Ozil every time he tried to work up the flank? That’s Pep’s hallmark – saw it at Barca and now Bayern – high and immediate pressure on the designated play makers. Wenger needs to come up with a response in Munich; and hard as it is to accept, take a leaf from the Mourinho Playbook at Madrid. I’m pessimistic but hopeful for a response. Come on Gooners!
Rob
7:08 PM
I thought we were good the first half hour. Maybe if you see highlights you’ll reconsider. We looked alive, at least. I’m not saying dominant. But we were in it.
John
9:04 PM
Yeah Neuer saved Bayern early on.
That’s what so bizarre with Wenger’s arsenal. The philosophy he instills in them which can look so good against so many teams, comes up short against Barcelona and now Bayern. Maybe Guardiola is just a better version.
Eddie
10:53 PM
Darn – why am I always watching the wrong parts of games?! ; )
What was the final possession percentages anyone?
John
11:09 PM
21 Arsenal : 79 Bayern
Suman
11:14 PM
Just watched the beginning of the game off the DVR. Those 1st mins were pretty intense
If only…
Rob
11:17 PM
If only…Arsenal weren’t so fucked.
