Bayern Munich beat Arsenal 5-1 at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Here are all the highlights from the match.
Arsenal must have spent the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Bayern Munich thinking the same thing they did when the draw was made: here we go again.
Not only did they fall behind within the opening 15 minutes despite setting up in a deep block designed to limit Bayern’s chances, they fell behind to perhaps the most predictable move in all of European soccer.
Arjen Robben, as he has done countless times over the past decade, picked up the ball on the right wing, cut inside on his left foot and curled a beautiful finish into the top left corner. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And it ain’t broke.
Arsenal were gifted a route back into the game 15 minutes later — 15 minutes they spent mostly camped out in their own defensive third — when Robert Lewandowski kicked Laurent Koscielny in the penalty area.
Alexis Sanchez saw his initial penalty saved, and after whiffing on the initial rebound, controlled with his chest and finished on the third attempt.
The Gunners grew in confidence after their goal, and the game opened up as a result. Lewandowski headed over in good position in the box, while Mesut Ozil was denied by a good save from Manuel Neuer on the stroke of halftime.
In the second half, Bayern took the lead through an excellent Lewandowski header in the 54th minute. Arsenal unravelled after that, and the German side had a 4-1 lead by the 63rd minuted.
David Ospina was forced into several more good saves to keep the visitors to a three-goal lead, but Bayern got the fifth goal their dominance deserved in the 88th minute, when Thomas Muller, on as a substitute, finished from close range.
It was the sort of collapse that has become all too common for the Gunners in recent seasons, especially in the biggest games. Sanchez’s first half goal gives them a glimmer of hope, but it looks like it will be seven straight round of 16 exits for Arsene Wenger’s side.
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Highlights
"Stop it, Arjen Robben! You just can’t stop that left foot. 😱 #UCL #FCBARS https://t.co/sbh0SDNtwl— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 15, 2017"
"Third time’s the charm for Alexis Sanchez and Arsenal! #UCL #FCBARS https://t.co/4IwwAjhLnc— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 15, 2017"
"We know Lewandowski can score, but how about THAT pass? 👀 #FCBARS #UCLhttps://t.co/FKZmF2q6x0— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 15, 2017"
The second leg of the round of 16 Champions League tie between Arsenal and Bayern Munich takes place at the Emirates on March 7.