News

‘Bayern’s quality did not surprise us’

Lukas Podolski says Bayern Munich’s quality did not take Arsenal by surprise on Tuesday night.

The visitors started with intent and goals from Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller gave them a two-goal lead midway through the first half. Podolski himself pulled a goal back against his old club but Mario Mandzukic secured a 3-1 win for the German giants.

"We nearly scored the [equaliser] and if we had, it would have been another match"

Lukas Podolski

Jupp Heynckes’ side have been in formidable form in the Bundesliga and Podolski maintains that Arsenal were not caught off guard.

“They’ve played a very good season in Germany,” he told Arsenal Player. “They are a good team and we are not surprised. We must look at our match and our match was not so good in the first half, but better in the second half.

“When you lose the match at home against Bayern in the Champions League, you are not happy. We must score three goals in Munich. This will be very difficult but I think we came out well in the second half.

“We nearly scored the [equaliser] and if we had, it would have been another match.

“When you lose the match and Bayern score three goals at the Emirates, it’s very difficult. But we have a chance and we will fight for this.”