Second half collapse has Arsenal on brink of exit

Roy Keane never held back against Arsenal as a player.

Arsene Wenger has delivered a warning to his critics by insisting that “no matter what” happens at Arsenal, he will be in management next season. In their last meeting in Munich, Bayern routed the Gunners, 5-1.

Arsene Wenger will welcome back Granit Xhaka into the squad who had missed out on English Premier League action due to suspension.

The Italian said the focus is now on completing the job in the second leg, which would see Bayern knock Arsenal out in the last 16 for the fourth time.

The result matched the 5-1 group-stage thrashing Arsenal received in Munich in November 2015 – the club’s joint record away defeat in Europe.

“We are delighted, it was a great day in the league for us”, beamed Bayern’s chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Bayern Munich took a commanding lead in their tie against Arsenal, while Real Madrid came from behind to beat Napoli.

“If we don’t play better against Arsenal, it will be very hard”.

In the 49th minute, the game’s complexion changed again as Arsenal captain, who had marshalled his rearguard respectably, hobbled off with an injury, clutching his hamstring.

Regardless, with Arsenal unable to rely on Aaron Ramsey – even when fit – and the crocked Santi Cazorla’s time at the Emirates drawing to a close (even if he extends his expiring contract by a further year), Arsenal need at least two quality midfielders.

“I didn’t expect Barca to lose in that manner because they are used to competing at a high level and playing in big games”, he said. And while there is no doubt about the consistency of the team and the healthy financial state of the club, there must be the objective of having a realistic chance to win the title, which for yet another year in February, we can say is nearly impossible. If Ozil and Sanchez want to leave, we must allow them to move on, unless we can show them both a pathway to success in the future.

“I am happy to play Bayern one more year”, he said in January after signing a one-year extension. Given, that all chances of a major trophy more or less are gone, star players with unresolved contracts, motivation and confidence at a very low point and a manager in a very shaky position, the ingredients for more disasters are there. Not to mention the number of world class players he cultivated over the years. “I think the realization that that decision needs to be made is even more apparent after tonight’s performance and you could see it nearly in his eyes that he knows now, probably reluctantly, that he’s going to have to hand over the reins to somebody else”. “It was surprising. I think this Champions League is balanced”.