Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal picked up their first points of the season in the Champions League on Tuesday when they beat the German giants Bayern Munchen at the Emirates. Arsenal started the game on the back-foot but went into the break at 0-0 and came out to score twice in the second half. This was Bayern’s first defeat this season.
Here are the player ratings for the clash.
Petr Cech (4): Made a series of important saves when he was needed to. Did well to keep a clean sheet and a man of the match performance.
Hector Bellerin (3): Provided a brilliant assist for Arsenal’s second but was rarely given a chance to attack by the marauding Douglas Costa.
Per Mertesacker (3): Always stuck to Lewandowski and gave him no space in the final third making sure that he does not create any chances.
Laurent Koscielny (3.5): Made a number of key interceptions in front of goal and also helped his team start the attacks from the back.
Nacho Monreal (3): Provided the cross that brought out a brilliant save from Neuer. Was assured at left back even as he was doubled up by Muller and Thiago.
Santi Cazorla (3): A tireless display from the Spaniard. Made good use of the ball when in attack and was compact in defense.
Francis Coquelin (2.5): Was in the shadows of the Bayern Players for most of the evening but was full of running and closing down.
Aaron Ramsey (3): Picked up an injury in the game but was impressive with his energy and quality in the midfield.
Mesut Ozil (3): Saw his eighth-minute diagonal effort palmed to safety by Neuer. Not enough from him after that, until he made the game safe by scoring in stoppage time.
Alexis Sanchez (3): Gave the ball away a lot. Very uncharacteristic from the man normally the strongest link.
Theo Walcott (3): Left stunned as Neuer pulled off his incredible one-handed save to deny him in the 34th minute. Used his pace to trouble the Bayern back line.
SUBS
Oxlade-Chamberlain (2.5)
Giroud (3): Scored Arsenal’s first goal from a set piece after a miscalculation from Neuer. Also held the ball up well in the last quarter of the game.
Gibbs (2.5)
Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer (3): Made an incredible save to deny Walcott in the first half but his mistake led to Arsenal’s first goal from Giroud.
Philip Lahm (3.5): Playing at left-back, Lahm had to deal with the pace and trickery of Alexis Sanchez and he did well to limit his threat.
David Alaba (2.5): Should have done better to stop Giroud from scoring. Looked uncomfortable the centre of the defense.
Kevin Boateng (2.5): Arsenal did not trouble Bayern a lot but when they did, Boateng and Alaba were stretched completely as they rarely looked comfortable on the counters.
Juan Bernat (3): Bayern’s best defender on the day. Stuck with Ramey giving him no space and also provided a lot of width down the flank in attack.
Arturo Vidal (3): Was solid in the middle of the park alongside Alonso in controlling the game, but his passing let him down more than a couple of times.
Xabi Alonso (3.5): Even at 33, he is one of the world best holding midfielders. His vision and class were visible to all at the Emirates.
Thomas Muller (3): Played down the flank all night to put pressure on Monreal but failed to create telling chances except the ball for Thiago in the first half.
Thiago Alcantara (3): Was full of energy and running throughout the game. His slick passing and presence of mindset him up for a shot with which he should have beaten the Arsenal keeper.
Douglas Costa (4): One of the best players in a Bayern shirt. Costa kept Bellerin on his heels down the flank and provided cross after cross and was unlucky to be on the losing side.
Robert Lewandowski (2.5): His great form coming into the game continued in the beginning when he almost scored straight away from kick-off. But did not find enough space to weave his magic and was largely ineffective.
SUBS:
Rafinha (3)
Kimmich (2.5)