Few days after handing over the momentum to Manchester City in the race for the Premier League, Arsenal made a bitterly disappointing exit from the Champions League as they were beaten by Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena.
Joshua Kimmich’s powerful 63rd-minute header from Raphael Guerreiro’s cross was enough to send the Germans through to the semi-finals 3-2 on aggregate after the two teams had drawn 2-2 in London in the first leg.
Despite being held at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal were confident of advancing against a Bayern Munich side who had endured a poor domestic season and were without key players Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman because of injury.
In a tight and cagey second leg, watched by Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke, Gabriel Martinelli had the best chance of the first half for the Gunners but shot straight at Manuel Neuer after Jamal Musiala had forced David Raya into a full-stretch save at the other end
With so much at stake for both teams, it was perhaps understandable chances were in limited supply but the second half was a livelier affair with Leon Goretzka heading against the post before Guerreiro’s follow up was scrambled away by Raya, via the post.
But Kimmich’s attacking header proved decisive and ensured Arsenal’s wait to win the Champions League for the first time goes on.
Bayern will meet Real Madrid in the semi-finals after the record 14-time winners knocked out Manchester City on penalties.
Arsenal now out of Europe, have to regroup quickly and keep themselves in the hunt for the domestic title.
They are away at Wolves on Saturday and cannot afford to drop any more points after losing their place at the top of the table to Manchester City following defeat at home to Aston Villa.
That result, coupled with Wednesday’s defeat in Germany, will inevitably lead to comparisons with last season, when Arsenal dropped crucial points in the run-in and ended up with nothing after starting April with an eight-point lead at the top.
Champions League: Bayern Eliminate Arsenal, Qualify For Semi Final
