Guardiola tactics saved Arsenal from humiliation

Many expected Arsenal to swallow more goals in both legs of their Uefa Champions League tie against holders Bayern Munich but Bayern’s new-found tic-tak style of play saved the English side from a possible humiliation. The presence of Spanish youngster Thiago Alcantara in the midfield seems to be slowing down Bayern, a team known for its quick-passing and attacking style of play. Bayern possess quick, skilled and strong world class players that suit well into the team’s offensive style. Frank Ribery, Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller, Sheridan Shaqiri, and Bastian Schweinsteiger are all established internationals, capable of producing goals against any opposition. Bayern were more threatening last season under former coach Jupp Heyckes because they preferred going forward all the time and gave opponents little time to sit back and defend. However, under Pep Guardiola, the run-away Bundesliga champions have started to pass the ball backwards, which is not entirely a bad style but it produces fewer goals and also allows the opponents more breathing space and time to regroup. The arrival of the former Barcelona men, Guardiola and Alcantara, some of Bayern’s top star midfielders like Tony kroos, Thomas Muller and Shaqiri have lost their place in the starting team. Guardiola needs to drop Alcantara when Bayern meets a tougher opponent in the quarter-final or semi-final stage of the Champions League. The Spanish international is slower than any other Bayern senior midfield player. Against Arsenal, over the two legs, Bayern’s game slowed down whenever Alcantara was in possession of the ball, which is why they didn’t have as many shots on goal, especially in the return leg match at the Allianz Arena. A team with Muller, Kroos, Roben and Ribery would provide more threat going forward than one with Alcantara in it and the sooner Guardiola realised this and change his approach the better for Bayern. As for the Gunners, they will have to make drastic improvement on their squad to be able to match the likes of Bayern, Barcelona and Man United in the Uefa Champions League. Recent history between Bayern and Arsenal in the champions League has favoured the German team which has always played the first leg in London. This is due to the fact that Arsenal has on several occasions failed to top the group and have always been drawn against the Bundesliga giants and four-time European champions. Last year, the Gunners were so close to steal a qualification into the quarter-finals but were denied by the away goals rule. They had lost 3-1 in London and went on to win 2-0 in Munich. This time round, Bayern took control with a 2-0 lead at Emirates stadium before they drew 1-all in Munich, a result that eliminated the English Premier League side from the elite competition.