This is a bad game to not have Alphonso Davies
Bayern Munich fans lament the fact that Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies will be missing for the Arsenal game. Watching the way they dismantled Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur, it is easy to see why the Canadian could have been the key to keeping things tidy at the back.
While none of Arsenal’s goals came from their wide players directly — Bukayo Saka had a relatively quiet game, and Jurriën Timber ‘only’ had an assist — the way they stretched the Spurs defense with their width was the difference maker in the end. This opened up a gap right in front of the defense, which Eberechi Eze took full advantage of by scoring a hat trick.
The left flank of Bayern Munich is probably its weakest link. Without Davies and with Ito still just returning from injury, Kompany will either have to play Josip Stanisic or Konrad Laimer out of position.
Compounding the issue is the loss of Luis Diaz to a red card suspension — his terrier-like tenacity at the back will be sorely missed. When Bukayo Saka and Jurriën Timber bear down on the Bavarians’ makeshift left flank, there is potential for disaster if Kompany doesn’t play things carefully.
To be honest, it really is a question of maintaining shape. If Bayern Munich can manage to stay in position and not let the Gunners’ wide men open up gaps in the line, things should go relatively smoothly. If they can’t, well… that will make for a tough ninety minutes.
The Emirates can be silenced, if you play it right
Maybe it was just a quirk of the broadcast, but the Emirates stadium felt LOUD in the game against Spurs. If they bring that same energy to a Champions League night, the pressure on Bayern Munich will be enormous.
Still, when Richarlison scored from well outside the box, it took the wind out of their sails. Arsenal were still 3-1 up and cruising at that point, but the stadium became so quiet you could even hear the Spurs fans sing on the broadcast.
Now, Bayern Munich have an away contingent that always travel in force — they have a habit of drowning out Premier League cathedrals. The team just has to give them something to work with. A goal or two would be best, but even a decent start would go a long way to silencing the Emirates.
Arsenal have no obvious weaknesses, but…
The way Tottenham played, they were always destined to lose. They began time wasting from minute five, and played with a back five (sometimes even a back six) with zero counterpress or any ambition at all. Of course Arsenal ran all over them.
Now we know that Bayern Munich will not play that way — but what weaknesses can they target?
At first glance, Arsenal seem more or less a complete team. They are solid at the back, their midfield dominates with ease, and their attack can score just fine. So where does Kompany go from here? What does he do?
Simply put, he doesn’t have to reinvent his tactics. The way Arsenal are set up now, they can be beaten if Bayern Munich bring their A-game to the Emirates. The Gunners have weaknesses, they are just not as obvious as their strengths. At minute 54, our very own João Palhinha (currently on loan at Spurs) chases down a languid Zubimendi and dispossesses him, giving the ball to Richarlison. The Brazilian then proceeds to score a sensational goal over the head of David Raya.
Moments like that came few and far between for Spurs. They simply did not take the game to Arsenal — and when they did, it was Palhinha putting on a one man show in midfield. If they had been more proactive, trying to press the Arsenal midfielders instead of sitting back bottled in their half, maybe the game might have had a different result.
Bayern Munich are a more proactive team than Spurs. They will counterpress Arsenal at every opportunity. Of course this opens up the Bavarians to counterattacks via throughballs, but that’s a risk that will need to be taken. Kompany’s system is set up to play that way, whatever the tradeoff.
Now, Arsenal were rather conservative with their passing vs Spurs — preferring to keep the ball rather than lose it. If they remain timid against Bayern, they may not be able to capitalize on mistakes the same way another team would. Of course, this assumes that Mikel Arteta won’t set up his team more aggressively in the CL.
All being said, Bayern Munich don’t have to do anything special — there is no need for a tiger to change its stripes. Just play the way they always have, and Arsenal should be manageable. Key word here being “should” — most regard the Gunners as one of if not THE best team in the world right now, and they certainly showed their credentials in the North London Derby.
Whatever happens, this will be a mouthwatering tie for football fans.
Miscellaneous observations