Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller scored the decisive away goals for Bayern Munich as the Champions came out on top against 10 man Arsenal at The Emirates.
Two missed penalties and a red card proved to be the main talking points of the match, but Robben and Muller’s goal’s now mean that Arsenal have to score three away goals in the second leg.
It was a fast-paced start to the match and Arsenal could have taken the advantage of this when Jerome Boateng brought down Mesut Ozil in the area, and the referee pointed to the spot, the German recovered to take the spot-kick himself but it was straight down the middle and easily saved by Manuel Neuer.
David Alaba replied not long after with a long range effort that was blocked by Mathieu Flamini even though it looked like Wojciech Szczęsny had it scouted. Flamini then tried a shot himself from 20 yards but he blasted it over the crossbar.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain then had the chance to give Arsenal the opener after he outran both Alada and Dante but the goalkeeper was quick off his line to make the block.
Bayern could have taken the lead through Mario Mandzukic, if not for excellent defending from Bacary Sagna. Mario Gotze whipped in a cross towards the Croatian and Sagna managed to leap higher and nod the ball out of harm’s way.
Arjen Robben was through on goal when Szczesny clattered into him and denied him a goal scoring opportunity, the referee pulled out the red card and Arsenal were down to ten men and Lukasz Fabianski replaced Santi Cazorla. The ensuing penalty was hit off the post by Alaba and trickled wide allowing The Gunners to breathe again.
Tim Kroos began the second half for Bayern much as they had finished the first but his shot had little pace and was easy for the keeper to claim before Robben tried to chip the keeper but Fabianski was quick to react.
Phillipp Lahm then cut inside the Arsenal defence passed the ball over to Kroos and he didn’t need a second touch, the German curled his effort into the top corner leaving the keeper with no chance, to just about put the game beyond 10 man Arsenal.
Robben could have doubled Bayern’s lead moments later when he tried to feed Mandzukic in the penalty area but Fabianski was alert to the danger and palmed the ball away.
Bayern then had a penalty shout when Thomas Muller went down easily from the challenge of Laurent Koscielny but the German didn’t make much of the tackle and the referee waved play on.
Arsenal were undone again from Lahm’s cross and allowed Muller through the defence to head home and allow Pep Guardiola to celebrate a comfortable victory.
Source: DSG
