Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich insists Arsenal are NOT the best team the German giants have played in the Champions League this season – even though they were convincingly beaten at The Emirates on Wednesday night.
The Gunners earned an impressive 3-1 win to inflict Bayern’s first defeat in Europe this season, and they did it in style. Mikel Arteta’s men took the lead when Jurrien Timber opened the scoring after 22 minutes with Lennart Karl equalising not long after. But second half goals from Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli helped seal a memorable Arsenal victory.
The north London outfit made full use of their set-piece brilliance, with Bayern unable to get to grips with them during the game – and that appeared to leave Kimmich slightly bitter.
The versatile Germany international criticised the Arsenal’s style of play post-match, saying that Paris Saint-Germain had been the club’s toughest opposition so far while lauding their tactics.
When he was asked if Arsenal had been Bayern’s toughest opponents this season, he told TNT Sports Brazil: “No, I don’t think so. I think PSG were the toughest one, especially the way they play football.
“Arsenal is completely different. They rely on set-pieces. They love to play the long balls, they love to fight for the second balls, it was a completely different game.
“Against PSG, it’s more a football game. Today, it was not so much about football, it was about game management, it was more about the duels. The win was well-deserved, but we have to learn from this game.”
Kimmich did, at least, admit that his side did not deserve the win. In another interview, the 30-year-old suggested that Bayern did not show the physicality necessary to find success.
“It was definitely a deserved defeat. I thought we didn’t do well at all with the ball. We weren’t brave enough, we weren’t active enough, we didn’t give ourselves enough options,” Kimmich said.
“We weren’t physically up to par against the ball, although it was clear what kind of game it would be. It was clear that it wouldn’t be a game like the one against Chelsea, where it’s mostly about playing football, but we were aware that it would be much more about fighting for every ball, lots of long balls.
“Arsenal then of course play every ball sharply, whether it’s a goal kick, a free-kick, a corner, they do it sharply, play everything into the box. They love their set-pieces and go all out for them, yes, we conceded too many set-pieces and then at some point it becomes difficult to defend them all.”
