UCL: Bayern send Arsenal packing with resounding defeat

Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League Tuesday as German giants, Bayern Munich, came from behind to wallop them 5-1 in the second leg of their round of 16 tie at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners who had an initial target of scoring four goals, after falling 5-1 to their opponent in the first leg, with the hope of going into extra time, had their hopes shattered when Laurent Koscielny was shown a red card in the 53rd minute which led to them conceding from a penalty kick.

Theo Walcott had put the hosts ahead with a stunning 20th-minute goal, before Lewandowski converted from the spot to level the score.

The Arsene Wenger side then folded as the visitored put in four goals in 17 minutes to make the scoreline same as the first leg three weeks ago.

Arjen Robben robbed Alexis Sanchez of the ball and beat Ospina in the 68th minute, before Douglas Costa doubled the lead with a stunning solo goal. Arturo Vidal then grabbed a late double, first with an impudent chip before slotting in from Costa’s square pass to make it 5.

Read Also: UCL: Barca set to overturn 4-0 deficit against PSG

The tie thus ended 10-2 on aggregate, a record defeat being the worst suffered by an English side in the Champions League, which doubles as Arsenal’s biggest home loss since November 1998 (5-0 against Chelsea in the League Cup).

Arsenal Boss, Wenger, after the match said his side was in the game early on, but blames the referee for the red card decision that reduced Arsenal to 10 men.

“I felt we were in it and you never know how Bayern would have reacted if we had scored a second goal.

“Down to 10 men you have to score four goals. It becomes impossible in the head of the players. Lewandowski is offside, it’s not a penalty and then on top of that he gives a yellow card and on top of that he gives a red card.

“The game has been spoiled by the referee,” said Wenger.

So Arsenal are out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage for the seventh consecutive season, under Manager Arsene Wenger.

Reports had it that a large gathering of fans made it known outside the ground that they did not want the Frenchman in charge of the club, but Wenger has yet to decide whether to accept the contract extension by the end of season or leave the club he has managed since 1996.

 

 

 

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