Arsenal crashed out of the UEFA Champions League last night against Bayern Munich, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White all starting for the Gunners.
It was a game that was billed as one that the north London side could have sent a message to all of Europe that there was a new player in town for the biggest club competition in football, yet Arsenal came just short against Bayern.
With Saka slammed for his performance and the likes of Gabriel Martinelli also having a game to forget, the occasion was simply too big for Arsenal, who again tasted Champions League elimination from the hands of Bayern in a 3-2 aggregate loss.
And Saka, Gabriel and White’s reaction at full-time painted a picture that told a thousand words.
Arsenal trio totally dejected after Bayern Munich defeat
As reported by Sky Sports News, the two Arsenal defenders dropped to the floor after the full-time whistle had blown, with Saka stood alone at the Allianz Arena having played the final kick of the match with a wasted corner that didn’t even beat the first man.
The dejected look from the Arsenal trio is no real surprise given how close the ties between Bayern were, with the north London side having the chances to take the lead and to beat their old European foe in their own backyard.
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However, last night showed that experience in the Champions League matters at this stage in the competition, something Arsenal simply don’t have enough of despite having one of the most exciting squads in all of Europe.
And the lessons learnt from last night’s defeat will be translated into next year’s competition, where Arsenal will want to go one step further in the Champions League and beat the best of the best.
Saka, Gabriel and White need to use heartbreak to perform
Having now suffered two defeats back-to-back, Arsenal’s star players will be feeling a low they haven’t experienced since this time last year when their Premier League title bid unraveled in spectacular style.
And for the likes of Saka, Gabriel and White, they must use this Champions League heartbreak and turn it into fuel to perform in the Premier League, where the title is still on the cards.
Indeed, Arsenal can make a big statement on Saturday with a comfortable win away to Wolves, and for players like Saka, Gabriel and White, they can redeem themselves by turning up at Molineux.