Arsenal´s Champions League adventure came to an end at the hands of Bayern Munich for the second year in succession. However, the Gunners managed to crash out with pride and dignity very much intact after leaving the Allianz arena with a 1-1 draw. That was not quite enough to secure progress as the 2-0 first leg in Bayern´s favour proved to be the difference between the clubs.
While the score line managed to keep Arsenal´s confidence intact there is little doubt that the German and current European champions were the better team. The hosts put Arsenal against a wall of passing and invention during the first half from which the North London club could not escape. However, Bayern´s obvious quality did not produce a goal and Arsene Wenger´s men went in at half time with a slim chance.
Wenger had named five across midfield to match Bayern, but the likes of Mesut Ozil and the inform Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were stifled by the Munich carousel. As was Oliver Giroud, recalled to the starting lineup after a brace on the weekend. The Frenchman found chances few and far between and was left a spectator for much of the game as Bayern continued to press the Arsenal goal.
Any hopes of the tie being within reach after halftime were quickly dashed as Bastian Schweinsteiger swept a Frank Ribery cross into the Arsenal goal on the 55th minute. The Gunners of old would have crumbled under such adversity, but this Arsenal team has shown a renewed mental strength this season. It took the players just two minutes to respond when Lukas Podolski fired in an equalizer in the 57th minute.
With Arsenal finally scoring a goal in this tie the dedicated fans that had travelled to Germany may have thought it would drive the team on. That may well have been the case, but this Munich team is simply too good at the moment and the Germans continued to dominate the game. The home team could have snatched a winner when Laurent Koscielny fouled Arjen Robben in the box and a penalty was awarded. Luckily stand-in keeper Lukas Fabianski saved Thomas Muller´s penalty to allow Arsenal to leave with a 1-1 draw.