Arsene Wenger’s Bayern Munich crashed out of the Champions League on the away goal rule after winning 2-0 on the night, the aggregate being 3-3.
A fighting performance that saw them score two away goals without conceding at the Allianz Arena, a ground where not many teams go back with a win and a clean sheet under their belt.
Arsenal played good football but unfortunately could manage to do so only in patches. The exit of Arsenal from the Champions League meant that there are no teams from the English Premier League in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, this is the first time in 17 years that such a thing has happened.
Arsenal started the game off very well and after the third minute; Olivier Giroud put his side ahead. Giving the arsenal fans the feeling that a comeback is possible. A string of quick passes in midfield sent Theo Walcott clear on the right who then whipped in a low cross that was met by Giroud who scored from two yards out with a finish nice and high up in the net to stun the home fans at the Allianz Arena.
Wenger went for the kill in as in the 72nd minute he made a double change, an attacking double change to bring on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gervinho in place of Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott. The change propelled play of the Gunners as they brought in naturally attacking players.
After the goal Bayern held the ball quite well and continued the surge for an equalizer, but it was center back Laurent Koscielny who probably gave many fans a tiny heart attack when he headed home an Oxlade Chamberlin corner late in the second half in the 86th minute. Unfortunately too little, too late!
The absence of Jack Wilshere and Lukas Podolski was a major blow for the gunners as these two highly influential players would have created more of an impact probably helping the Gunners score a third.
Bayern Munich did not seem to have come in with a sense of going for the kill. Even though they had a depleted line-up it seemed as if they were content, riding on the score line from the first leg. They did not look threatening enough on the ball expect for a while in the second half.
Jupp Heyncke’s side were handed their third loss of the season, and this is surely a wake-up call for his men.
After the loss Arjen Robben said, “I think in the last few weeks, we have played some terrific football but you always have to be focused and concentrated on your own game. I hope this is a wake-up call because everyone was speaking about us and saying it couldn’t be any better, so maybe this is good for the future.”
We have to agree, that both the teams did not field their strongest squad due to injury concerns, but nothing should be taken away from the Arsenal players. Wenger had said that he wanted a performance a good performance from his players and he got exactly that.
Now, for the North Londoners to concentrate on the English Premier League and try and push for a place in the top four.