Mikel Arteta: "We want to be like Bayern Munich"

Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers - FA Cup Fifth Round

Arsenal‘s bitter defeat to Blackburn had hardly sunk when the Gunners suffered another defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Arsenal lost 1-3 to a confident Bayern side.

Arteta was disappointed with his team, and felt they were completely outplayed.

“For them to be 3-1 up is not good enough from us. We made some mistakes that cost us a lot in the game. That was the difference. We put everything into the game. The first time they got around the box they scored.

“After that we conceded a sloppy goal at a corner again. Once it is 2-0 to a big team like this, it is a difficult game to play. We took some risks and we paid for it on the break.”

Theo Walcott supported his teammate, and admitted that Arsenal’s game was sloppy.

“It’s hard to get it because it’s happening most weeks,” said Walcott. “We didn’t really have a slow start, it was just sloppy goals. Goals that could have been avoidable.

“We knew how strong they were going to be, they’re very well organised, they did their job and they took their chances, which is the most important thing. We had a few but didn’t take them.

“There is a lot we can learn from that and from Bayern as well, because we want to be like that.

“They’re not fazed by anything. They did a job. They knew what to do, they got three very important goals.

“They’re at the top of their game and have fantastic young players – and experience too. They are one of the best teams I’ve faced. We were always chasing the game.”

Captain Thomas Vermaelen said: “We have to analyse what we did wrong. We didn’t play disciplined enough as a team to win this game, especially in the first half.

“Bayern are disciplined and work hard as a team. That’s the key. They are a strong team, they all know their jobs and they did that perfectly.”

Arsenal’s only goal came from former Bayern Munich player, Lukas Podolski. “The result speaks volumes,” he said. “Especially in the first half, Bayern put us under huge pressure and it’s going to be difficult now.”

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