Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel made a statement about Mikel Arteta and Arsenal after his side’s win over the Gunners.
Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
The Gunners were not at their best in the second-leg at the Allianz Arena, as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat, losing the tie 3-2 on aggregate.
Mikel Arteta will be frustrated that his side fell short of the standards required, particularly in the final third. Bukayo Saka struggled to really test the Bayern Munich defence, whilst the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz were also peripheral figures.
Arsenal must learn from this chastening experience. Arteta’s squad lacked Champions League experience prior to this season, as many of his players had never featured in the competition before. Whilst, ultimately, they may well feel that they ought to have progressed further, they now have a platform to build on in future campaigns.
Thomas Tuchel makes statement about Arsenal after Bayern Munich triumph
Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is a man who knows what it takes to win Europe’s elite club competition, as he achieved the feat during his stint in charge of Chelsea. With Havertz, coincidentally, applying the winning touch for the Blues in that game.
Speaking to the press after his side’s triumph, Tuchel gave his verdict on Arsenal, as quoted by journalist Kaya Kaynak on X. The German coach said, “for me they are an elite team. I know that Mikel maybe does not want to hear this. If you watch Arsenal games it’s consistent, it’s fun to watch, and every match something to learn. Maybe what they miss a little bit is experience in big games like this.”
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal stars must make use of Champions League experience
Over the course of this season and last, the Gunners have shown that they are capable of competing for the biggest prizes. They now need to show that they have what it takes to get over the line and actually get their hands on some major silverware.
Arsenal fans were disappointed with a club statement after this defeat to Bayern Munich which referenced “a Champions League journey to be proud of.” Whilst it was their first season back in the competition in years, and their first ever with Arteta at the helm, there is an argument that the North London club ought to be disappointed with a quarter-final exit.
Next season, Arsenal will be expected to put in a better showing in the Champions League, and will have to put the experience that they have gained this time around to good use.