Aaron Ramsey’s return one of few positives to take from Arsenal’s European exit

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There’s no easy way around it, but Arsenal’s humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium last night was the latest horror instalment in the Gunner’s woeful recent record in the Champions League, with their 10-2 aggregate defeat the worst defeat ever by a Premier League side.

If Arsenal fans thought that their side’s second-half capitulation in the first-leg in Munich was bad enough, Laurent Koscielny’s sending off once again opened the floodgates, with four goals in 40 minutes of football ensuring that Arsenal’s spirited first-half efforts turned into embarrassment very quickly.

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On a testing and frustrating evening, and on another European night with few positives, the return of Welsh international Aaron Ramsey to the Arsenal midfield was something to lift spirits slightly.

After yet another injury at the beginning of February ruled out the Gunners’ midfielder for three weeks, Ramsey was thrown straight in at the deep end on his return to the starting line-up, given the thankless task of competing with Xabi Alonso, Thiago Alcantara and Arturo Vidal in the midfield.

Considering his side were already 5-1 down in the tie by the time the first whistle blew on Tuesday evening, Ramsey showed a passion and a determination in the middle of the park that Arsenal have been lacking ever since his injury – Frances Coquelin has struggled hugely lately to cover ground, track midfield runners and provide adequate defensive cover, whilst Granit Xhaka has found it hard to compete at times too.

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Yet in an inspired first-half performance from Arsenal, the 26-year-old led his side admirably and forced his side forward, leading by example with crunching tackles – of which he won 67%.

Despite his defensive midfield position he drove at the Bayern back-four, getting himself into promising positions in the final third and creating two clear-cut chances – one a glorious cross that Olivier Giroud should have done better with – and gave Arsenal an alternative attacking option from deep.

Not only did Ramsey’s display give Arsenal a huge boost ahead of a tough run-in in the league to make the top four, it also brought the best out of summer signing Xhaka up until the midfielder was forced to play at centre-back after Koscielny’s early dismissal. Yet up until this point, Xhaka arguably was having one of his best games at the Emirates, following Ramsey’s lead and taking no prisoners in a dominant display.

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Xhaka completed 86% of his passes attempted on Tuesday, as well as winning 67% of his aerial battles, on top of lending himself better in defence with three clearances and two key blocks.

It was clear to see the impact that Ramsey – who used to captain Wales – had on his return, giving Arsenal an extra, gritty edge in the middle and not letting Bayern walk through on goal easily; a vast difference to Coquelin’s style of play in the midfield, a man who seems to lack the leadership quality that Ramsey has.

It’ll be hard for Arsenal supporters not to be seeing red right now, with the ‘Wenger Out’ talk increasing by the second, but Ramsey showed that a tough evening wasn’t all doom and gloom.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Emrah Partal.