Few Things We Learnt From Arsenal vs Bayern Munich – Mesut Ozil’s Price Tag Pressure

Bayern Munich withered an early storm by the Gunners in the opening few minutes of the encounter, but the Bavarians made sure they left the Emirates with a foot in the quarters of the Champions League. Arsenal will be left to anguish their missed penalty early into the game, thanks to Mesut Ozil’s tame effort which was easily saved by Manuel Neuer’s outstretched hand. It was then Bayern all the way after Szczesny’s red card, when Toni Kroos who broke deadline near the hour mark, thanks to a sublime finish from outside the box. Thomas Muller then doubled the lead for the Bavarians to take back at the Allianz Arena. Here are the three things we learnt from London.

1. Bayern stamped their authority even when they didn’t play well

When the Bavarians are good, they are sublime, but as last night’s feisty encounter showed, even when they are not in full gear they can be the better of any top club in England presently. This does represent a paradigm shift as Premier League, with just 3 different Champions League winners since 2005, the power at the top football echelons has certainly shifted. This Bayaen outfit is capable of beating anyone when they are imperious, yet make wins look very comfortable even if they are not at their very best, like Wednesday. Pep Guardiola’s obsessive tactics have made them ruthless thanks to their physical presence with a varied variation of the tiki taka imported from the Barcelona model. I for one wouldn’t be surprised if the Bavarians go on to claim Europe’s elite crown for the second time running as well.

2. Mesut Ozil’s price tag certainly bogged him down

There was a time when I played football in the nearest playground and I remember, if I had won a penalty as the opposition tripped me down, I would get up and take the penalty on my own. Whether I scored or not, hardly mattered. This might just be what Mesut Ozil might be thinking, after missing the spot kick, Ozil went into a shell and never quite recovered. The German looks a shadow of his former self, the mesmerizing one at Real Madrid and Wenger must contemplate whether relegating him on the bench, would give him desired results, rather than him being the liability of the London side. It will be very important for the gunners that their record signing must forget his penalty blushes and concentrate on upcoming fixtures.

3. Tony Kroos control

If after this display, Toni Kroos doesn’t pen a new deal at the German club, Pep Guardiola would be left wondering what a calamity that would be. The 24 year old was at his incisive best, and never there has been a performance when a player has managed to outnumber the entire midfield opposition like Arsenal, yet Tony Kroos managed to achieve this feat against the Gunners. Such was his nonchalance of his passing range, novelty and precision, and his breath-taking long shots. I feel Kroos can certainly make the starting eleven place his own and be Germany’s engine in the middle of the park at the World Cup.