Arsenal 2 Bayern Munich 0: 'Bayern were not ready for Olivier Giroud,' says Rio Ferdinand

Wenger was able to change the Gunners style of play in the 74th minute to devastating effect

Rio Ferdinand working as a pundit on BT Sport (BT Sport)

Rio Ferdinand has hailed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's deicision to bring on goalscorer Olivier Giroud for Theo Walcott in the Gunners' 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League last night.

In the 74th minute Giroud came on, and immediately made an impact for the home side, scoring within three minutes.

Ex-Manchester United defender Ferdinand, who was working as a pundit, praised the "contrasting change of styles" of the strikers which Wenger utilised perfectly in the victory.

"A great thing about the result is Theo Walcott had a couple of half-chances to try to really stretch the Bayern defence," Ferdinand told BT Sport. "Then for Arsene Wenger to be able to bring on someone [Giroud] with such contrasting style is such a great asset to have.

"As a defender you play against pace, pace, pace all game and then someone comes on and he wants the ball in and wants to be physical and you have to change your game quickly as a defender. If you are not on it, you can find that difficult.

Olivier Giroud celebrates his goal (Getty Images)

"I don't think Bayern were ready for that type of player to come on, they were all geared up to play against pace."