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

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2nd leg Wednesday night 

There’s a game with huge ramifications in Munich this Wednesday. It was an enthralling Champions League encounter at the Emirates last Tuesday, in a first leg that eventually finished 2-2. Arsenal came from behind to salvage a draw against European giants Bayern Munich in North London. The reverse takes place at the Allianz Arena this Wednesday. The Gunners were cruising in the first 15 minutes last week and took the lead thanks to a superb curled effort by Bukayo Saka. But then the adversity came and their inexperience at this level showed. Following their shock 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League which hugely dented their title aspirations, the Gunners will hope their lack of European familiarity won’t see them go out of another competition this week.

Last week David Raya made a poor decision to come for a hopeful punt forward by Bayern, which then led to a catalogue of errors. Two sensational passes later Bayern were level through former Gunner Serge Gnabry. It was then that Arsenal’s European experience was tested. And unfortunately for Arteta’s side, they didn’t really have any. In Arteta’s starting XI last week, 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 like William Saliba and White were making unusual errors, and Bayern soon took the lead through a Harry Kane penalty. 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. However, Arsenal were clear favourites before the game. At their own patch and top of the Premier League at the time, whilst Bayern were 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. And why it may be an even bigger issue at the Allianz Arena this Wednesday.

As previously mentioned, in Arsenal’s line-up last week, 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. These are the kind of nights Bayern are used to. In their entire starting XI last week, 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 arguably the better team with the better players. Arsenal’s starting XI (Market value: €750m) on the night last week 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). In Arsenal’s entire squad their most experienced Champions League players are all players who have been in Europe’s top club competition with another English team. Both Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have played 18 Champions League knockout games – the majority for Chelsea and Manchester City respectively.

It’s also likely to be an even bigger factor at the Allianz Arena this week, 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, whilst Gnabry and Kinglsey Coman look set to miss the game through injury. 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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