After losing their first match in 19 games, it’s perhaps understandable that Bayern Munich’s players and staff showed a bit of bitterness in their post-match interviews.
Vincent Kompany suggested Bayern created their own downfall on this occasion, adding that he wants to take revenge on the Gunners later this season.
“We exposed ourselves a little bit too easily for them to actually win the game,” Kompany told TNT Sports. “I’d love to play them again, as soon as possible. We’ll have to wait a little bit and hopefully [we’ll meet] in the latter stages, with a good amount of learning from this game.
“We’ll do the analysis and use it, I hope this game will help us in March.”
Kane agreed with that in another interview with TNT, saying pointedly: “I’m sure we’ll see them again in the later stages of the Champions League, so we’ll look forward to that one.”
Elsewhere, Joshua Kimmich was asked whether Arsenal were Bayern’s toughest opponent so far, considering the Gunners inflicted the German club’s sole defeat of the campaign to this point.
“No, I don’t think so,” Kimmich said. “I think PSG was the toughest one. Especially the way they play.
“Arsenal is completely different. They rely on set pieces. They love to play long balls. They love to fight for second balls. It was a completely different game against PSG. It was more of a football game.
“Today was not so much about football. It was more about game management and duels.”
Kimmich appeared to have conveniently forgotten that Bayern’s only goal of the game came from a long ball. His long ball. He also ignored that Arsenal had scored enough to win the match even if open-play goals were the only ones that counted.
Fortunately, we don’t live in that version of reality, and Arsenal peppering Bayern’s goal on set-pieces should remain a problem for the Bundesliga club if the two teams do meet again later this season. Perhaps even more so if Gabriel is back and the Gunners field a recognised centre-forward.