It was a sobering night for Arsenal on Wednesday after a season full of success came to a worrying halt in the last week – losing to Bayern Munich in Germany, knocked out of the Champions League.
Arsenal should have won the first leg and had the chances to do so, but they were below par. Then, a loss to Aston Villa on the weekend saw them take a massive step backwards in the race for the League title.
Then, on Wednesday night, Joshua Kimmich scored the only goal of the game to send Bayern into the semi-finals of the Champions League. Arsenal were well below par, struggling to create any chances.
Mikel Arteta made the surprise decision to start Takehiro Tomiyasu on the left of the defence, and the £16m man really struggled. Arteta chose to start him in order to cope with Leroy Sane on Arsenal’s left.
Micah Richards gives his verdict on Arsenal man Tomiyasu
That is, despite having Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior playing on the left this season. Bayern’s goal came from that flank, an overhit cross that went to the right – before Kimmich headed into the net.
The Japan star had not been given a start since the turn of the year and it showed. Matt Upson claiming Gabriel had to look after Tomiyasu throughout. Micah Richards was critical of the former Bologna man.
“I think at left-back, I wouldn’t say they have struggled but it’s been a weaker point with Zinchenko at times and they have brought in Tomiyasu who has not been the same,” Richards told The Rest Is Football.
“They have brought in Kiwior, who has played. Timber also got injured. They are all very good players in that position but they have not been performing at that consistent level,” Richards said, on Arsenal’s left.
What Thierry Henry said about Arsenal defender Tomiyasu
As Kimmich headed home, Gabriel Martinelli was criticised in not challenging the skipper. But Tomiyasu is also seen caught on his heels as the cross comes into the box. Henry urged him to “close the gap”.
At his best, Tomiyasu is a good defender. Versatile, he can play in all areas of the defence. But against a side like Bayern, was it the right call to throw him in, having not started for a while, on his weaker side?
In hindsight, the answer is no. Not good enough and he was part of the reason that The Gunners are no longer in the Champions League. It will be interesting to see if Tomiyasu remains at Arsenal this summer.