Five-Star Bayern Breeze Through Frail Arsenal

By Andah John

A second half blitz from ruthless Bayern leaves Arsenal on the brink of another round of 16 exit from the Champions League after the German champions breezed through the Gunners 5-1 in Wednesday’s first-leg.

Arsene Wenger’s charges arrived Munich with the hopes of getting something other than defeat in a bid to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in eight years. But it was not meant to be.

Sanchez misses, then scores

Striker Alexis Sanchez had given hope to Arsenal’s hopes of getting past the Bavarian side when he brought the visitors level on the half hour despite seeing his initial penalty saved by Manuel Neuer.

But Bayern had no time to joke or show mercy. They showed they meant business as they looked quite different in the second half, taking advantage of an Arsenal defence without captain Laurent Koscielny.

Gunners capitulate

Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and a brace from Tiago added to Arjen Robben’s initial opening strike to ensure Arsenal saw stars in Munich. It was another humiliating defeat for the North Londoners who are all but out of the competition.