UEFA Champions League: Arsenal weren’t at the races in Munich, says Wenger

Gunners treading on thin ice after 5-1 Bayern loss

MUNICH: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger slammed Arsenal’s “extremely poor” defensive display at Bayern Munich as their record 5-1 defeat left them with just a slender chance of progressing in the Champions League.

Thomas Muller scored twice on Wednesday while Robert Lewandowski, David Alaba and Arjen Robben were also on target as Pep Guardiola’s Bayern emphatically avenged their 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago.

This was Arsenal’s joint heaviest away defeat in Europe, equalling the 4-0 drubbing at AC Milan in the last 16 in February 2012.

France striker Olivier Giroud scored Arsenal’s consolation with 20 minutes remaining, but with two games to go, Arsenal still have a chance of reaching the knockout phase despite Dinamo Zagreb’s 2-1 defeat at Olympiakos.

The Gunners have three points along with Dinamo, while Olympiakos and Bayern both have nine with the Germans top of Group F on goal difference.

It means Arsenal must win their final two matches at home to Zagreb and away to Olympiakos, plus hope Bayern beat the Greek side at the Allianz Arena in a fortnight to progress.

“You have to give credit to Bayern for their quality, but we made life easy for them and we were extremely poor defensively. We weren’t at the races,” admitted Wenger. “We did well going forward, we created chances, but with a defensive display like that, you are going nowhere.”

Emotional Mourinho salutes never-say-die Chelsea fans

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho paid an emotional tribute to Chelsea’s loyal fans as the beleaguered Blues boss savoured a dramatic 2-1 win over Dynamo Kiev that earned him a stay of execution.

Mourinho looked like a dead man walking when Dynamo’s Aleksandar Dragovic cancelled out his earlier own goal in the closing stages on Wednesday’s Champions League tie.

But Brazil winger Willian came to Mourinho’s rescue when he unleashed his latest fabulous free kick in the 83rd minute to secure a vital victory that put Chelsea’s bid to reach the last 16 back in their own hands with two Group G fixtures remaining.

“This is my moment. When I came back to this club and we played the first match against Hull, the way the stadium welcomed me was amazing, but it is not comparable to today,” said Mourinho. “This comes at a moment when the results are not good and you [the media] are asking for my head.”

Neymar enjoying spotlight in Messi’s absence

Brazilian striker Neymar said he is in the form of his life after netting twice as Barcelona eased past BATE Borisov 3-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Neymar also set up Barca’s other goal on the night for Luis Suarez as the defending champions moved to within a point of sealing their place in the last 16.

Suarez and Neymar have now combined for 18 of Barca’s last 21 goals since four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi suffered knee ligament damage nearly six weeks ago.

“It is clear we miss Messi, but I am in the form of my life and I hope to continue like this,” said Neymar. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2015.

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