Arsenal legend tells players what went wrong in Champions League defeat

Arsenal's players look dejected after their Champions League quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich
Arsenal's players look dejected after their Champions League quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich -Credit:Getty Images


Former Arsenal star Martin Keown pinpointed where 'hurt' Gunners went wrong in the defeat to Bayern Munich. The last moments of the meeting with Bayern Munich encapsulated why Arsenal didn't progress in the Champions League, according to the legend.

The goal that crushed Arsenal's dream of reaching the semi-finals of Europe's top-tier club football competition was a 63rd-minute header from Joshua Kimmich. Despite a noticeably stronger defensive showing in Munich than during last week's 2-2 first-leg draw at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal let their guard down for a critical moment.

A few players were caught out resulting in Kimmich being left unattended in the penalty area, enabling him to confidently head his shot beyond an out-of-reach David Raya. Gabriel Martinelli especially switched off, allowing Kimmich to land the decisive blow.

Arsenal fans may have anticipated an immediate comeback, with Mikel Arteta's side applying pressure on their hosts' goal. Instead, several slow minutes passed without any notable action from the Gunners until a rushed conclusion that included a poorly decided quick free-kick and a series of misjudgments from the players.

Keown shared these observations during his post-match analysis on TNT Sport. The former England player remarked: "It was very disappointing and it was kind of summed up in the end there. Saka for some reason takes a quick free-kick when there's an opportunity to really test the goalkeeper right at the end.

"They were quite flat within the game and there was no real urgency in the closing stages. Hugely disappointing. We didn't really lay a glove on them in the second tie. It was there for whoever wanted it. I think Bayern came out with that extra resolve, were more direct and they posed more of a threat than Arsenal did."

When asked about how he thinks the Arsenal players will be feeling, Keown admitted that the defeat will sting but must be used as motivation for the remainder of the league season.

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"They will be disappointed," he added. "Everything comes down to fine margins, decision making on the pitch. There was only one goal between the two teams but I just feel as though Arsenal didn't give a proper account of themselves and it's just when it matters most, we just don't seem to deliver.

"It is one of those where you have to suck it up. All the players are hurting, but you have to almost use that as oxygen for the rest of the season because you have to get up again. It's a huge disappointment for the fans.

"You want the players to perform to their maximum and tonight it just didn't happen for them." Arsenal manager Arteta has echoed a similar sentiment to Keown, insisting his players have to bounce back swiftly. "What we have to play for is beautiful," the Spaniard claimed. "Six games to go and we are two points behind City."