Video: Bayern Munich 5 – 1 Arsenal [Champions League] Highlights 2016/17

Video 7 years ago

Video: Bayern Munich 5 – 1 Arsenal [Champions League] Highlights 2016/17

Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski, Thiago Alcantara and Thomas Muller scored the goals to leave the Gunners facing yet another last 16 exit

Bayern Munich effectively guaranteed themselves a place in the Champions League quarter-finals and left Arsenal facing the prospect of another early exit from the knockout stages of European competition after the Bundesliga title-holders romped to a second 5-1 thrashing in successive seasons over the Gunners at Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

Carlo Ancelotti’s hosts led through Arjen Robben’s early goal, before Alexis Sanchez levelled for an Arsenal side that improved markedly as the first half progressed.

It was a different, sorry story for the visitors after the break, as a Thiago Alcantara brace, Robert Lewandowski’s header and Thomas Muller’s late strike earned Bayern a commanding lead going into the second leg at Emirates Stadium next month, although they will be without Philipp Lahm after the captain was booked late in the second half.

For Arsene Wenger and his team, who crumbled in familiar fashion when it mattered most, a seventh successive exit from the competition in the round of 16 now appears all but inevitable.

Bayern dominated possession from the outset, Arturo Vidal testing David Ospina for the first time with a strike from outside the area in the ninth minute.

Two minutes later, though, there was nothing the Colombian goalkeeper could do to deny Robben.

Found by Douglas Costa’s cutback, the Dutchman performed the manoeuvre that has become his career trademark, drifting in from the right flank, advancing past Francis Coquelin and curling an inch-perfect finish with his left foot into the far top corner of the net, beyond the reach of Ospina.