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Arsenal were sent packing from this season's UEFA Champions League after a 1-0 (3-2 aggregate) loss to their familiar foes Bayern Munich tonight (April 17). Rival fans took to social media to mock the Gunners' exit.
Joshua Kimmich grabbed the only goal of the game in the 63rd minute to fire Bayern into the semifinals. The German midfielder powered home a superb header from Raphael Guerreiro's fine cross.
The Gunners weren't their usual threatening selves with several stars quiet. Bukayo Saka was particularly poor with not a single shot at goal and failing with three dribble attempts.
The Bavarians were the better side, buoyed by having fans in attendance at the Allianz Arena. Their supporters were banned from the first leg at the Emirates but made themselves heard in Munich tonight.
Arsenal's season is on the brink of collapsing as they've exited Europe's elite club competition. This follows a shock 2-0 loss to Aston Villa at home in the league which saw them drop to second in the title race.
One fan sarcastically asked why Saka hadn't played against the Bavarians:
"Can't believe Arsenal ain't played Saka tonight. Why would you leave your world class players out of such a big game?"
Another fan took aim at Arteta's side for bottling their Champions League campaign:
"Another trophyless season for the battle jobs Arsenal."
Here are more hilarious memes posted on X (formerly Twitter) after the Gunners' defeat to Bayern:
Martin Keown bemoans Arsenal's flat performance against Bayern Munich
Martin Keown was unimpressed by his former club's performance as they exited the Champions League. The Gunners legend covered the game as a pundit with TNT Sports and he felt Arteta's side rarely threatened:
"I feel as flat as the performance. It feels like we didn’t lay a glove on them."
The Gunners had eight shots to Bayern's 15 with three of them on target. The north Londoners were viewed as dark horses to win the Champions League amid a stellar 2024 until their recent collapse.
Arteta's side are usually one of the most fearsome attacking teams which is why they are second in the Premier League's goalscoring charts. They didn't have their shooting boots on tonight with Gabriel Martinelli wasting their best chance in the 32nd minute.
It means they will now focus on the Premier League title race which they have faltered in. They trail leaders Manchester City by two points with six games left.
