Jump directly to the content
Five things

Arsenal 1 Bayern 5 (agg 2-10): Gunners’ mentality is unbelievably weak and Alexis Sanchez must show respect

Any relationship between the fans and manager has now gone after another embarrassing performance

IT was more of an uphill battle for Arsenal to turn around a 5-1 deficit and knock the German giants out of the Champions League.

And what glimmer of hope that the Gunners had was wiped away when Laurent Koscielny was shown a red card for his challenge on Robert Lewandowski.

 The game completely changed when Laurent Koscielny was shown a straight red card
7
The game completely changed when Laurent Koscielny was shown a straight red cardCredit: AP:Associated Press

After a dominating first half performance, Arsene Wenger's men completely capitulated as Bayern put them to the sword and scored five second half goals.

Here's five things we learnt.

Arsenal's mentality is unbelievably weak

No leaders in that Arsenal team mean when the going gets tough, there's no coming back.

Once the Gunners were down to 10 men they completely capitulated with mistake after mistake.

 Arturo Vidal celebrates after bagging his second of the night
7
Arturo Vidal celebrates after bagging his second of the nightCredit: AP:Associated Press

Their heads dropped and after a dominating first-half performance, Arsenal ended up embarrassing themselves.

It was so easy for Bayern to waltz through their defence and score FIVE second-half goals.

It has been the same scenario on too many occasions this season and it has to stem with the manager.

Theo Walcott of old

You never know which Theo Walcott is going to turn up.

But tonight it was the Walcott that was branded a world beater all those years ago.

 Theo Walcott was brilliant in the opening 45 minutes and deserved his goal
7
Theo Walcott was brilliant in the opening 45 minutes and deserved his goalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The winger looked full of pace and energy in the opening exchanges and it was plainly obvious that the England international was causing the Bayern defence to panic when he had the ball at his feet.

He was rewarded with a very well taken goal and Wenger will want to see more of the winger as Arsenal turn their attentions to a top four challenge.

Alexis Sanchez must show more respect

The Chilean covered every blade of grass possible as he looked to prove a point to the manager and fans.

He arrived into the fixture after dominating the headlines for enduring a training ground bust-up with his team-mates.

And nobody could question his attitude... until he was subbed off.

 Alexis Sanchez tries to stifle a grin on the Gunners bench
7
Alexis Sanchez tries to stifle a grin on the Gunners bench

Sanchez sat on the bench and couldn't resist a smirk as Bayern bagged their fifth of the evening.

He knows the result is embarrassing for the club, but he must show more respect.

Any relationship left between fans and manager is now over

Before kick-off around 200 Arsenal fans marched the streets of London asking for Arsene Wenger to leave the club.

After that embarrassing capitulation that number would be a dramatically increased.

 There is no relationship left between the fans and manager
7
There is no relationship left between the fans and managerCredit: PA:Press Association

The fans were fully behind the team during the first 45 minutes but little support was shown towards the Frenchman in the dugout.

It will undoubtedly be Wenger's last Champions League match with Arsenal and he walked down the tunnel to a chorus of boos.

Unlucky Arsenal

It would have been highly unlukely for Arsenal to turn around a 5-1 deficit and knock Bayern out of the Champions League.

But it certainly wasn't impossible after Theo Walcott bagged an early opener.

However he could have easily had a penalty following a clumsy tackle by Xabi Alonso in the first-half but the referee decided not to give it.

7
 Arsenal were on top before the penalty decision... their performance didn't reflect the scoreline
7
Arsenal were on top before the penalty decision... their performance didn't reflect the scorelineCredit: Reuters

Add to the insult that Laurent Koscielny was shown a straight red card for a challenge of Robert Lewandowski which all but ended the tie.

And who could forget Danny Welbeck pulling out moments before kick-off to throw a spanner in the manager's plans?

Topics