4 Talking Points From Bayern vs Arsenal – Ox Factor, Guardiola’s Obsession And More

From the beginning till the end it was ‘two’ much for Arsenal at the Allianz Arena. Arsene Wenger’s side were resolute in defence and can now hold their heads high on their flight back from Germany. Arsenal at the end could do very little, the damage was inflicted in the first leg at the Emirates as Bayern deservedly proved to be superior over two least and rightly so, Pep Guardiola’s Bavarian outfit have mote than enough in them to yet again, go all the way and lift the cup at Lisbon. As the Gunners crashed out in a foregone conclusion, here are the talking points from Munich.

1. Familiar disdain for the Gunners

Arsene Wenger must contemplate a 16th consecutive year of falling short in the Champions League and might wonder looking up to the skies what can he do to change to win the Europe’s elite trophy. Afterall the French professor will be left pondering what might have been if they had topped the group of death or if Mesut Ozil had scored the penalty. While this defeat is no shame, Wenger certainly would feel he keeps being hurled the ignominy of disdain, the Gunners well beaten by a superior Bayern side. Time though will ebb on and winning the FA Cup or the Premier League will be considered a success, a double would also be no doubt a great achievement, far better than their, and I hate to say this, the fourth placed trophy.

2. Pep Guardiola and his obsession to details

After the Bavarian outfit won everything last term under Jupp Heynckes, Pep Guardiola can only match it, but with a different verve. The Spanish tactical genius left out Kroos and Muller on the bench, as if playing with the Gunners. His tiki taka style with more physicality can be termed more of an evolution rather  than an revolution of the microtactics he deploys. If you were to read his biography by Guillem Ballague, you can realize the amount of attention he gives to details, caressing everything from physique to eating habits, the Spaniard is ought to get success and believe me, if at any point of the competition they face Barcelona, they will do it in style.

3. This Bayern side will take quite a stopping:

Would the likes of Walcott and Aaron Ramsey have made a difference? Sadly not! If you look back in time, there was a certain period in boxing history when the great Muhammad Ali would knockout any pugilist who crossed his path. Similarly this Bayern side oozes the fear factor which would knock out opponents in the cold and if I am not wrong, they are technically the best side in Europe currently which is clearly etched into every pore of those who witness the Bundesliga, the league title which is already notched up by Guardiola’s side. Apart from the reversal at the hands of Manchester City, an inconsequential result for the Bavarians and to Dortmund in the German cup final way early in the season, Guardiola’s outfit looks impregnable. Lisbon, here they come!

4.Ox Factor for England:

If there was any shining light for the Gunners returning from the vociferous Allianz Arena, it would definitely be the youthful exuberance of the twenty year old youngster Oxlade Chamberlain. The way he rubbed shoulders with his penetrating runs in front of the Bayern defence, the willingness to run the extra mile, the ability to drag defenders heckling into him to check his raw bursts of pace would give England manager Roy Hodgson an early impetus and it would be no surprise if the Ox, as they call him, start against Italy in the Three Lions’ first match in Brazil.