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Martin Keown and Owen Hargreaves have criticised Gabriel Martinelli for a missed chance in Arsenal's defeat against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, April 17.
The Gunners traveled to the Allianz Arena to face Bayern in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash. The first leg had ended in a 2-2 draw last week at the Emirates. The hosts expectedly began on a bright note, creating a few half chances early in the game.
However, it became a cagey first half after that as both sides failed to create clear-cut chances. Martinelli, though, had an excellent opportunity after being played in by Martin Odegaard. The Brazilian chose to shoot with his weaker left foot and the shot was comfortable for Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
At half-time, Arsenal legend Martin Keown reflected on the opportunity and said on TNT Sports (via The Boot Room):
“He [Martinelli] has picked up a really good position there, just waiting and you think why would you hit that with your left foot? You’re a right-footed player and he’s coming on to that, perfect angle, lovely approach play. Surely you’d hit that with your right foot?”
Owen Hargreaves added to the conversation, saying:
"I think if he gets that back he hits that with his right. He can see it coming and you always want to hit that with your good foot.
“In the end he just wants to make contact and get it on goal, because sometimes you say pass it in the goal, but he needs to hit that with his right foot. If he hits it with his right I think it’s a goal.”
It proved to be a costly miss in the end as Joshua Kimmich scored in the 63rd minute for Bayern. Arsenal failed to create a clear-cut chance after that, bowing out of the competition.
Arsenal looking to bounce back against Wolves after three-game winless run
The Gunners were in excellent form in 2024, having won eight of their nine Premier League games, drawing the other. However, they have had a tough run recently, which could have big ramifications for their season.
Arsenal first played out a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich at home in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. They then lost 2-0 against Aston Villa at home in the Premier League last weekend. It was followed by a 1-0 defeat against Bayern in the second leg, eliminating the Gunners from the Champions League.
The defeat against Villa, meanwhile, dropped Arsenal from the top of the table to second place. They sit two points behind Manchester City with just six league games to go.
The north London side have three big games coming up next in the Premier League. Arsenal will face Wolverhampton Wanderers away on Saturday, April 20. They will then host Chelsea on April 23 before facing Tottenham Hotspur away on April 28.
