Arsenal face an uphill battle if they are to avoid being knocked out of the Champions League at the last sixteen stage for a fourth consecutive year after losing their first leg against Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Emirates yesterday evening.
Goals from Toni Kross and Thomas Muller secured victory for the German side, who are favourites with the bookmakers to retain the trophy they won last May by beating rivals Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at Wembley.
The Gunners were handed a great chance to take an early lead in the tie after Mesut Ozil was fouled inside the area by Jerome Boateng, though the former Real Madrid man saw his spot-kick saved by childhood friend Manuel Neuer.
Bayern were then awarded a penalty themselves after Wojciech Szczesny brought down Arjen Robben is a challenge deemed worthy of a red card by referee Nicola Rizzoli.
Lukas Fabianski, who replaced Santi Cazorla, saw David Alaba hit the outside of the post from twelve yards, but despite being kept at bay by Arsene Wenger’s side before the break, Bayern made their one man advantage count in the second half to take a two goal advantage into the second leg, which takes place at the Allianz Arena two weeks on Tuesday.
