UCL: The Exciting Game Between Arsenal And Bayern. This Is What Rafael Benítez Said 

UEFA Technical Observer Rafael Benítez has analysed Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Bayern in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final opener.

The UEFA Champions League quarter-final between Arsenal and Bayern München remains intriguingly poised after a 2-2 first-leg draw in London which showcased the qualities of both sides.

In his analysis, UEFA Champions League-winning coach Rafael Benítez identified the tactical elements that caught his eye last night – from the way Arsenal pressed and Bayern responded, to the attacking approach of the two teams.

According to Benítez, Arsenal’s aggression that pressed Bayern’s capacity to play through that pressure was incredible. He said he impressed with their “high tempo and pressing” capabilities.

Thomas Tuchel, the visitors’ coach, described it last night as “a role where he dropped to release their speed”

Arsenal’s aggressive defensive work included Jorginho covering the space in front of the back four, where he is closely watching Jamal Musiala – highlighting again that collective effort to shut down those pockets of space habitually exploited by both Kane and Musiala. In this sequence, Ødegaard is again leading the press and his closing down of Eric Dier helps spark the turnover high up the pitch which results in a shot by Gabriel Martinelli.

William Saliba conceded a penalty, underlining the way Neuer invites pressure then chips the ball coolly over Martinelli. Also, the individual excellence of Leroy Sané was top class, as he spins away from Jakub Kiwior before driving forward with the ball.

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Bayern built from a goal-kick in the second half. By this point the game was more open – or “a bit chaotic”, to quote Arteta – and we can see there is clearly space for Bayern to exploit behind the press as Leon Goretzka finds the room to receive before feeding Sané.

Arsenal’s attacking strategy:

Arsenal’s attacking work on their right –was a strong feature of their first-half performance, in particular. At a point, Ødegaard moving out to the right to get on the ball with full-back Ben White pushing high upfield and Bukayo Saka moving inside. Indeed, White was often the highest-placed Arsenal player on that side in the first period and the sequence ends with his pass inside for Saka to strike an outstanding opening goal.

Benítez said:

“Arsenal controlled the game for the first 17 minutes. They were dropping off and defending deep when necessary and then pushing high with high tempo and intelligence and regaining the ball. With Ødegaard on the right, between the lines, and with White higher even than Saka sometimes, they were a threat.”

“Although Bayern had Serge Gnabry dropping from his position as left winger to support their defence – as highlighted in clip two – this second sequence still ends with an opportunity for White to put Arsenal 2-0 up. For Arteta, it proved a key moment. We had the feeling we were becoming a threat and we scored a really good goal. After that was the moment of the game when Ben is in front of Neuer and [if it is 2-0] that would have been a very different match.” He added.

According to Benítez, there was also a noteworthy duel between Ødegaard, the Player of the Match, and Konrad Laimer, Bayern’s left-sided holding midfielder: “Between the lines Ødegaard was always a threat. When he went inside, it was easier for Laimer to control him.”

As it was, Arsenal changed their approach in the second period with the half-time introduction of Oleksandr Zinchenko bringing a different dimension to their build-up play. “Arsenal in attack had three at the back with Zinchenko higher,” said Benítez.

Indeed, though he played only one half of the match, Zinchenko produced the most line-breaking passes into the final third (five), with Declan Rice next with four. And overall, he played more line-breaking passes than anyone else on the pitch with 12 – two more than White and Joshua Kimmich (ten apiece).

Bayern’s counterattacking threat:

Bayern’s threat on transitions, beginning with the lead-up to Gnabry’s 18th-minute equalising goal when they exploited ruthlessly a defensive lapse by their hosts to score with their first attempt of the night. As Tuchel said of his team afterwards: “It is a strength to go to fast attack from ball wins.”

Musiala was phenomenal, as he provided the ball from deep and illustrates the menace that Sané brings with his speed. In this instance only an excellent recovery challenge from White stopped him getting in a shot. “If they have the space, you know they can punish you,” said Arteta afterwards. “We let them [do that] on a couple of occasions and that is something that in the return leg we have to do better.”

From his position in the stadium, Benítez saw the influence of Alphonso Davies grow in the second half with a number of overlapping runs. He also likened the link-up between Sané and Kane – the former running on to passes behind the defender – to the way Kane used to combine with Son Heung-Min at Tottenham Hotspur.

The impact of Sané is evident from the 65th minute, as he carried the ball from deep inside his own half into Arsenal territory – through a neat exchange with Musiala – before releasing Gnabry for a shot. And despite his withdrawal shortly afterwards, Sané still finished the match with the highest average distance for ball carries – 9.9m – and ranked joint-first for most carries following a 1v1, with three (alongside Musiala and Gabriel Jesus).