Bayern Munich romped to a 3-1 victory over Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night thanks to goals from Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller and Mario Mandzukic.
The German giants were a level above Arsene Wenger’s men and showed just why they have reached two out of the last three Champions League finals and are 15 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
Bayern, for whom Brazilian defender Dante was once again outstanding, took the lead on just seven minutes when Müller received the ball on the right hand side of the Arsenal area and his first time cross was deflected into the path of Toni Kroos who, arriving unmarked at the edge of the area, fired home the vital first goal.
After taking the lead Bayern looked completely comfortable against an Arsenal team low on confidence and passed the ball around at ease. They grabbed their second from a corner after just 21 minutes when Belgian defender Daniel Van Buyten lost his marker at the front post, only to see his header saved by Wojciech Szczesny but Müller was on hand to tap the ball in from the six-yard box.
Arsenal stirred after the break and forced Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer to make a couple of saves before getting back into the game through Lukas Podolski’s header.
Santi Cazorla had seen his shot deflected off the former Bayern player but a corner was awarded by the officials. Jack Wilshere, who was excellent throughout, swung the ball into the box only for the whole German defence and keeper to stand still as the ball bounced to Podolski, who headed into an empty net.
Arsenal threatened to bring the score back to 2-2 but Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes’ substitutions helped to close the game out. He brought on Dutch winger Arjen Robben for Franck Ribery and he helped to seal the game by putting full back Philipp Lahm in down the right on 77 minutes and his cross was met by Mandzukic to effectively end the tie before the second leg.
Heynckes also brought on Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo to held see out the game, leaving Arsenal needing a miracle in Munich in three weeks to progress to the next round.
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