Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard didn’t mince words as he conceded that his team “were not good enough” in key moments during their Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, leading to their elimination from the competition. Despite a promising start in the second leg at the Allianz Arena, Arsenal ultimately fell short, with Joshua Kimmich’s goal sealing Bayern’s place in the semi-finals with a 3-2 aggregate win.
Reflecting on the match, Odegaard highlighted lapses in concentration that cost Arsenal dearly, particularly in defense. He acknowledged that moments like Kimmich’s goal exposed vulnerabilities in their defensive organization, emphasizing the need for sharper focus throughout the game.
While Odegaard criticized the defensive lapses, he also pointed out the team’s lack of sharpness in front of goal. Clear-cut opportunities were scarce, and Arsenal failed to capitalize on the chances they did create. Odegaard lamented the importance of being clinical in crucial moments, especially in a high-stakes competition like the Champions League.
‘I feel we went out and take control of the game where we control most things, Odegaard told TV2. ‘Then again there are some moments in the game where we are not good enough, like when they scored, same as in the home game actually.
‘We weren’t sharp enough in front of the box, and the Champions League is decided in moments and we weren’t sharp enough there today either. So it’s sad.’
The disappointment extended beyond their Champions League exit, as Arsenal had also suffered a significant setback in the Premier League with a recent defeat to Aston Villa. Odegaard expressed his frustration at the missed opportunity in the Champions League, emphasizing the team’s desire to achieve something significant in the tournament.
‘I am very disappointed,’ Odegaard added. ‘It’s sour. Yes, this one is heavy.
‘We really wanted to do something really big in this tournament here and felt that we had good opportunities.
‘Over two games it is very even and it can go either way. So it’s sad that it ends like that.’
Looking back at the tie against Bayern Munich, Odegaard acknowledged the evenly matched nature of the contest but rued the missed opportunities that ultimately decided their fate. Despite the disappointment, he remained determined to learn from the experience and strive for improvement in future competitions.
In analyzing the team’s performance, Odegaard placed responsibility on certain players, particularly the attackers, for failing to capitalize on their chances and lacking sharpness in front of goal. He emphasized the collective effort required to succeed in elite competitions like the Champions League, urging his teammates to learn from their mistakes and strive for better performances in the future.