Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was delighted that his team reproduced their recent outstanding Premier League form to revive their faltering European fortunes with a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday (20 October).
The London club have climbed to second behind Manchester City in the Premier League but were struggling in Champions League Group F after losing their opening two matches to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiacos Piraeus. For long periods it looked as if they were either going to lose, or at best draw against Bayern, but a 77th-minute header from substitute Olivier Giroud and a stoppage-time second from Germany international Mesut Ozil gave them an unexpected but hugely important victory.
Wenger said: We had an absolute necessity to win the game and we did it in an intense, disciplined way. It was a top level game between two very good teams. Bayern had more possession than us but we decided to make it tight in our final third and catch them on the break.
In the last part of the game, when we went longer and won the long balls they suddenly could play more in their half and they struggled much more. I think they dropped a little bit physically as well. But overall I think we have beaten a very strong team and we kept a good level of focus from the first to the last minute and we kept a clean sheet as well.
He praised the contribution of Giroud adding that despite starting on the subs bench the striker gave valuable alternative options in attack. He said: Its not easy, he has always played and he had a little bit of a dip in form.
I see that since two weeks that he is coming back to his best, but the focus he brings, the spirit he shows when he... hes a winner and he gives us a different option when it doesnt work anymore on the ground he gives us options in the air. Both of them, I like Walcott, I like Giroud. I just have to use them in the right way.
The result means Arsenal have revived their chances of qualifying for the last 16 of the competition for the 16th successive season, although they still trail Bayern and Olympiacos by three points.
