Arsenal’s dismal form continued as they crashed out of the Champions League following a 5-1 thrashing to Bayern Munich in the second round-of-16 clash. This meant that the Gunners lost by an aggregate of 2-10 and were knocked out in the round of 16 stage of the Champions League for the seventh season in a row.
The match had a very dramatic buildup to it with Alexis Sanchez having an argument with his teammates while training which was followed by a protest rally by several Arsenal fans calling for the dismissal of Arsene Wenger.
To make a substantial addition to all the drama, Bayern Munich fans also showed their frustration at the high ticket costs at the Emirates Stadium by throwing toilet papers on the ground which led to the play being interrupted.
After a slow start to the game, it was the Gunners that drew first blood thanks to Theo Walcott’s brilliant strike in the 20th minute. However, the Gunners could not score another goal in the first half as their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals seemed to go down the drain.
To make matters worse, Bayern Munich were given a penalty ten minutes into the second half due to Laurent Koscielny’s mistimed tackle on Robert Lewandowski which saw the Frenchman also being given his marching orders. The Pole converted from the spot to all but end Arsenal’s Champions League hopes.
A brace from Arturo Vidal and a goal from Arjen Robben and Douglas Costa each were the final nails in the home side’s coffin as they suffered another embarrassing defeat in the round of 16 of the Champions League as Bayern Munich marched off to their sixth consecutive Champions League quarter-final.
Here’s how players from both teams fared in the match
Arsenal
David Ospina- 5.5/10
The Colombian produced a couple of decent saves throughout the match but his backline did not shield him properly in the second half and in the final 25 minutes of the match, crumbled against the relentless attack of the Bayern Munich frontline.
Hector Bellerin- 6/10
The Spaniard was good at the right flank during the first half as he supported Walcott well. However, he wasn’t very useful during the second half as he did not coordinate well with the other defenders and in the end, was no match for the Bayern forwards.
Shkodran Mustafi- 5/10
The German centre-back had a decent first half but his weakness was exposed in the second half after his defensive partner Laurent Koscielny was dismissed. Having been in poor form lately, Mustafi will have to improve his performances significantly or else he might see himself relegated to the bench.
Laurent Koscielny- 6/10
The Frenchman was commanding the Arsenal defence well in the first half and made a few crucial blocks with the most important of them being his blocking of Arjen Robben’s shot. However, his mistimed tackle on Robert Lewandowski in the second half saw him being red-carded and the match went away from Arsenal from that point onwards.Nacho Monreal- 5/10
The left-back got forward occasionally and was providing support to Olivier Giroud but was very ineffective at the back as the Bayern attackers frequently got the better of him.
Aaron Ramsey- 5.5/10
Did not have the best start to the game but gradually blended in as the match wore on. Was looking to be in good touch at the middle of the park but was replaced once Bayern scored their second goal.
Granit Xhaka- 6.5/10
One of the better Arsenal players on the pitch as he worked very hard in central midfield and shielded the defenders brilliantly during the first half. However, once Bayern equalised, the pressure took its toll on the Swiss and he was eventually shown a yellow card for a tackle on Rafinha.
Theo Walcott- 7/10
The best Arsenal player of the match without a shadow of a doubt. Walcott began the match brilliantly as he gave the Gunners a glimmer of hope through his brilliant goal in the 20th minute. He had another scoring opportunity in the first half but side-netted his effort. However, he toned down during the second half.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain- 6/10
Was deployed in a more central role in the match and was very energetic on the field. He moved to the right on certain occasions and his overall performance was decent but without any significant output.
Olivier Giroud- 5.5/10
Was included in the starting XI in the eleventh hour as a replacement for the ill Danny Welbeck. Had two scoring opportunities but he could not cash on them as he sent an early header just wide before heading another shot over the crossbar.
Alexis Sanchez- 6/10
Had a good start to the match as he linked up well with the midfielders and the forwards. However, he gave away the possession in crucial situations and lost a tackle to Robben when he scored his goal. He was subbed off for Lucas Perez.
Substitutes
Francis Coquelin- NA
Replaced Aaron Ramsey in the 72nd minute.
Mesut Ozil- NA
Came on for Giroud in the 72nd minute.
Lucas Perez- NA
Substituted Sanchez in the 72nd minute.
Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer- 5.5/10
Was barely tested throughout the match but he could have done better as he punched Theo Walcott’s thumping effort into his own net.
Rafinha- 6.5/10
He replaced the suspended Philipp Lahm at right back and was brilliant at the back. His presence did not allow Sanchez to pose much of a threat to Bayern Munich. He did not contribute much in attack but was solid defensively.
Javi Martinez- 6/10
Martinez was not having a good game at the beginning as he was booked for a foul on Aaron Ramsey. However, once Bayern took control of the match, Martinez began to play more freely and nearly got himself a goal, heading over the crossbar.
Mats Hummels- 6/10
The centre-back was given a tough time by Theo Walcott and was finding it difficult to cope up with his pace but apart from that, was solid at the back and made some crucial tackles and interceptions.
David Alaba- 6/10
Was troubled by the coordination between Walcott and Bellerin in the first half but did not have much to offer during the second half as the Arsenal players were looking to have made peace with the fact that they were out of the Champions League. Had an early shot on goal.
Xabi Alonso- 7/10
Was sublime at the middle of the park as he linked up well with his teammates and was controlling the flow of the game. However, he was lucky not to concede a penalty for what seemed a foul on Walcott.
Arturo Vidal- 8.5/10
Undoubtedly, the star of the match. Did not have the best of starts to the match but he looked in good touch during the second half and coordinated brilliantly with Douglas Costa which resulted in him bagging two goals.
Arjen Robben- 8/10
Was given a tough time by the Arsenal defenders in the first half but he roared back into the game in the second half as he scored Bayern’s second goal. Linked up well with Lewandowski up front.
Thiago Alcantara- 7.5/10
Did not score a goal but was brilliant throughout the match and was getting better as the match wore on. He linked up beautifully with the midfielders and Lewandowski and made some delightful passes and interceptions throughout the match.
Franck Ribery- 7/10
Like many other Bayern players, Ribery was given a tough time in the first half as he could not prevent Walcott from running past him before scoring the opener. However, he got better during the second half.
Robert Lewandowski- 8/10
Missed a golden scoring opportunity in the first half after being set up well by Robben but was brilliant during the second half as he split the Arsenal backline to win a penalty before converting it himself for the equaliser. He could have scored a second but his effort hit the woodwork.
Substitutes
Douglas Costa- 7/10
Came in for Robben in the 71st minute and coordinated well with Vidal. Scored the third goal of the match.
Joshua Kimmich- NA
Replaced Thiago Alcantara in the 79th minute.
Renato Sanches- NA
Replaced Franck Ribery in the 79th minute.
