Manuel Neuer with more Champions League KO games than entire Arsenal XI – Did inexperience cost the Gunners?

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Just 49 UCL KO games between Arsenal XI 

It was an enthralling Champions League encounter at the Emirates on Tuesday night. In a match that finished 2-2 as Arsenal came from behind to salvage a draw against European giants Bayern Munich, only to then be denied a late penalty shout that could have won the game for Mikel Arteta’s team. The Gunners were cruising in the first 15 minutes and took the lead thanks to a superb curled effort by Bukayo Saka, right-back Ben White then failed to take a gilt-edged chance that would have seen Arsenal double their lead. But then the adversity came.

David Raya made a poor decision to come for a hopeful punt forward by Bayern, which then led to a catalogue of errors. Gabriel misplaced a pass, before Jakub Kiwior was unable to sort his feet out and gave possession away in a dangerous area. Two sensational passes later Bayern were level through former Gunner Serge Gnabry. It was then that Arsenal’s European experience was to be tested. And unfortunately for Arteta’s side, they didn’t really have any. In Arteta’s starting XI, just two players had played in Champions League knockout games prior to this season (Jorginho and Kai Havertz). 

Suddenly, one of the best performing teams in the world this calendar year looked all at sea. Usual figures of composure this season like William Saliba and White were making unusual errors, and Bayern soon took the lead through a Harry Kane penalty. Bayern were also denied a second penalty shout when Gabriel appeared to handball the ball in the box in a bizarre incident. But the Gunners did manage to fight back and gain a draw with the game now perfectly poised ahead of the second leg in Munich next week. However, Arsenal were clear favourites before the game. At their own patch and top of the Premier League, whilst Bayern sit 16 points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. When we analyse the European experience in both starting XI’s, we can perhaps realise why it didn’t all go to plan for Arsenal.

As previously mentioned, in Arsenal’s line-up just two players had previously played in Champions League knockout ties before this season. In the entire starting XI, the Gunners had just 49 games of European knockout experience between them before Tuesday night’s game (22 of those from the round of 16 games against Porto this season). A game of that magnitude was uncharted territory. This is also manager Arteta’s first ever season managing in Europe’s top club competition, while Bayern’s Thomas Tuchel has managed 39 Champions League games and won it in 2021 with Chelsea.

In stark contrast, Bayern’s starting line-up was full of giants when it comes to Champions League experience. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer alone had already played 61 Champions League knockout games in his career – more than the entire Arsenal starting XI by 12 matches. Joshua Kimmich – 32, Leroy Sané – 25, Leon Goretzka – 19. This was the kind of night Bayern were used to. In their entire starting XI, the team boasted 223 Champions league knockout games between them – 174 more than the Arsenal team. And at times it showed.

On paper right now Arsenal are probably the better team with the better players. When comparing the two team’s performance in their respective leagues this season, Arsenal come out mostly on top. This season the Gunners have more points per game (2.29ppg to Bayern’s 2.14) and less goals conceded per game (0,77gcpg to Bayern’s 1.29). Although Bayern have more goals scored per game (2.86gpg to Arsenal’s 2.42). A more impressive stat in Arsenal’s favour when you consider that most people feel the Premier League is a much stronger division than the Bundesliga right now. Arsenal’s starting XI (Market value: €750m) on the night also had a higher total market value than Bayern’s (Mv: €595m).

Although when it comes to European pedigree and experience there’s no doubt Bayern are on top. No team has been to more Champions League quarter-finals than the German giants (22 times). It’s also likely to be a factor in the reverse leg at the Allianz Arena next Wednesday, but Arsenal may be able to take some solace from their excellent defensive record on the road this season – they haven’t conceded in the last five Premier League away games. Full-back Alphonso Davies will also be suspended due to the yellow card he picked up at the Emirates, meaning it’s likely Raphaël Guerreiro will be given the task to stop Saka. European marvels vs one of the best teams in Europe right now – it’s sure to be another fantastic encounter in Munich.

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