Ozil the villain

All eyes were on the former Real Madrid man as Arsenal were in need of some real inspiration at the Emirates. Bayern have been in rampant form for the last year or so and were always going to be favourites, so Wenger and the Arsenal fans will have been expecting some magic from their own German.

It happened too, when he was brought down in the box and awarded with a penalty early in the first half. His casual attempt was clawed away however, and now he has the media on his back once more.

As soon as they were down to 10 it was almost impossible for Ozil to conjure anything up, but he did chase down well and covered a lot of ground - something which many people are overlooking because of the penalty.

He has been underperforming of late when you take everything into consideration, but I think the villain status is a little unjust for a player with such talent.

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Kroos & Lahm the dictators

Despite Germany international Philip Lahm playing from the centre of midfield for the majority of the season, Pepe Guardiola made the decision to revert him back to his more familiar role of right-back, leaving Toni Kroos and Thiago to boss proceedings in the middle.

It was the two Germans who effectively won the game for Bayern, as Kroos pulled the strings for the entire 90 minutes while Lahm was pushed in beside him during the latter stages.

Kroos completed 144 passes during the tie while Lahm was close behind with 122 - he misplaced just one pass all evening - which combined equated to more than the entire Arsenal side managed to even attempt.

It was a glorious display from the two Germans - one who is a hero and considered one of the best in the world, and the other who is establishing a name for himself on the big stage.

The way they raked the ball around the pitch, opening gaps for their team-mates and making chances, was brilliant. It was Kroos who opened the scoring with a superbly-struck shot from the edge of the box, and he also provided the sublime chipped ball that led to the penalty and sending off. Lahm claimed an assist with the dink to Thomas Muller who nodded home.

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Bacary Sagna

The France international was once renowned for his pace, his attacking prowess and the way he could whip a ball into the box, but he failed to show any of that against the Germans last night. It was more the power of Bayern than the lack of ability of the Sagna though as those in the wide areas - Arjen Robben especially - ran the Gooners ragged.

Sagna completed just 11 passes during the entire 90 minutes and had just 33 touches of the ball, but it was his off the ball stuff that disappointed. He struggled to get tight to Robben and when the Dutch winger swapped with Mario Gotze the German's movement was too clever for Sagna.

I would give Carl Jenkinson a run in the team as I believe the fixtures that are approaching would suit him and it would also give Sagna a breather after a huge run of games.

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Mesut Ozil

After having his performances picked apart by fans and the media alike, Ozil was expected to bounce back with a big performance against the reigning champions of his homeland. He got the chance to do so as well as he was brought down inside the box early on in the game and was awarded with a penalty. He casually hit it down the middle of the goal and Manuel Neuer palmed it away.

Ozil went missing for large parts of the game, though that was expected after they were reduced to 10 men, and was only able to complete 76% of his passes.

The Germany international needs a rest in my view in order to recharge his batteries, and I think that should be over the next few games. The north London side have Sunderland, Stoke and Swansea in three of their next four and could perhaps afford to give up some creativity. 

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Mathieu Flamini

In incredibly difficult circumstances, the Frenchman was unable to muster up anything that caught the eye. Despite all the chasing that went on in the Arsenal midfield Flamini looked sluggish off the ball and couldn't get near to anyone operating in the Bayern midriff.

He has a tactical nous about him and his positioning is often his strongest asset, but being penned back by the formidable Bavarians he could do nothing but watch.

He won just one of his four attempted tackles and made just one interception, and with Jack Wilshere doing most of the pressing the game totally bypassed Flamini.

Going into the Sunderland game I would give Flamini a rest and reinstate Mikel Arteta into the middle of the pitch after he missed the Bayern tie though suspension.

Sunderland won't control the game like Bayern did, obviously, and with Arteta in the middle the Gunners can knock the ball around a bit quicker.

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Alfred Finnbogason

Rather than going for a player who is known for his temprament and antics off the pitch, why not go for a player establishing a name for himself for all the right reasons? That is certainly what Alfred Finnbogason is doing in the Dutch topflight with Herenveen.

The 25-year-old is entering his peak right now and has been scoring for fun over the last two seasons - The Iceland international scored 28 goals in 35 games last season in all outings and is already closing in on that this time round with 23 in 23.

He is a player who often drops deep to collect the ball, but he's also able to race onto through passes and finish in a vary of ways. He is very much a player who likes to play on the ground rather than having balls launched into him and is willing to create as well as finish.

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Javier Hernandez

Crossing back over to the Premier League now, this suggestion is likely to spark a mixed response. Manchester United currently have Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck on their cards, and so Mexico international Javier Hernandez has had to settle for a bit-part role at the club over the past few seasons.

He has kept his head down though and has proven that he can scored a hatful of goals when given the chance - he now has 57 goals for United in 141 games - a tally that looks much better when you consider the time he has spent on the pitch in those.

He's one of the most dangerous poachers in the Premier League and can punish even the most drilled defences with his darting movement and incredible composure.

The 25-year-old has by far the highest shot accuracy at the club this season (82%) and a conversion rate that is stronger than Olivier Giroud's.  

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Mario Mandzukic

I would go to say he is one of the most natural goalscorers in Europe right now, and he is finally showing just how effective he can be when he is the focal point of the attack. The 27-year-old hit 22 goals last season for Bayern Munich, but with a change of manager and a re-shuffle in formation this season the Croatia international is well on his way to surpass that total.

For me Arsenal are need of a poacher - a player who makes space for himself inside the box by dragging defenders out of positions and making sharp, precise runs in the deep areas. Madzukic is that type of player, but he is also good in the air and can also create chances.

He has scored 18 goals in 30 games so far, including 12 in the Bundesliga, and from those league goals five have been with his left, four have been with his head and three with his right.

With Robert Lewandowski due to arrive at Bayern in the summer his head could perhaps be twisted with a move to the Premier League.

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Eliaquim Mangala - Porto

After seeing to the midfield areas I now focus my attention to the defence, as there are a number of players who are out of contract in the summer. The main one for me is Nemanja Vidic, who looks set to leave the club, and I think a young, ball-playing centre-half needs to be picked up to come in and combine with Phil Jones in the heart of the backline.

The man I would like to see is Eliaquim Mangala, who is currently on the books of Portuguese side Porto.

The 23-year-old is a real powerhouse of a defender but is notably good with the ball at his feet, which is the type of player I believe David Moyes should be moving for. Despite his young age he has well over 100 club appearances under his belt and even has a France cap, which I am sure is the first of many.

He's a combative player who likes to get stuck in but also knows how to play a pass, and I believe he is good enough to be the future of United's defence. 

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Marco Reus - Borussia Dortmund

Having named two central midfielders who I believe could come into the club and turn their fortunes around, I will now look to the wider areas of the pitch where I believe United are lacking in quality. They have the numbers - Adnan Januzaj, Juan Mata, Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Nani can all play on the flanks, as well as Shinji Kagawa, but there are a few names there who I would get rid of.

I would then look to secure a deal for Germany international Marco Reus, who is continuing to set the Bundesliga alight. He is a creative player who can play anywhere across the attacking positions and a player who can spark an attack from anywhere on the pitch - something which United are desperate for.

The 24-year-old has made 57 chances in his 20 games so far this season and scored eight league goals, which is a very decent return. 

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