The fine margins of the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds were too fine for Arsenal, who lost 1-0 in Germany on Wednesday to exit at the quarterfinal stage following a 3-2 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.
Joshua Kimmich’s second-half header was the only goal from a tight affair in Bavaria, as few Gunners found their footing on their biggest stage yet.
[ MORE: Arteta reacts to Arsenal’s UCL exit ]
Out-attempted 15-8 and producing just 0.43 xG, the Gunners ran out of gas in Germany.
Arsenal looked like a team that fell 2-0 at the weekend to see their Premier League title dreams moved to the backseat, and Bayern moves within 180 minutes of a Champions League Final in Arsenal’s backyard.
When the dust settles, Arsenal’s Champions League return will be viewed as a success
It’s stings now, especially rewatching the three Bayern goals from this tie, but Arsenal’s first Champions league run since 2016-17 should be viewed as an almost unqualified success.
This is especially true considering their ability to hang in the Premier League title race while navigating the return to the UCL, but still valid without counting the domestic slate.
The Gunners controlled Group B and made the Emirates Stadium a fortress, only conceding four times with two of those goals coming in an away loss at Lens.
The Round of 16 was a proper fight with hardened Porto, but winning a round will prove invaluable and nearly taking Bayern the distance will also stick with the young Gunners.
Frankly, they ran out of gas. Bukayo Saka was nearly invisible at the Allianz Arena and young teammate Gabriel Martinelli will have learned painful lessons on the decisive goal.
The collective experience and depth of Bayern’s midfield and back line is almost immeasurably greater than Bayern, and that was probably the difference in the tie.
Mikel Arteta has a lot of good things to remember, but won’t recall them now after back-to-back shutout losses to call time on dreams of a double... and maybe silverware altogether.
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal player ratings (fotmob.com)
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal player ratings (fotmob.com)
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal player ratings (fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Arsenal, suddenly on a 194-minute goalless drought, head to Wolves for a 2:30pm ET Saturday kickoff in the Premier League, their last shot at a trophy this season.
Bayern get the winner of Real Madrid and Manchester City, which is headed to extra time in Manchester.
How to watch Bayern Munich vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 3pm ET, Wednesday (April 17)
How to watch: Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal live updates — By Nick Mendola
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal final score: 1-0 (3-2 aggregate)
Goalscorers: Kimmich (63')
Odegaard denied
Martin Odegaard hammers a near-post shot that’s deflected by a defender and then Manuel Neuer.
Somehow not one ref saw one of the two touches.
89th minute and Bayern will sub to waste time here.
Arsenal subs
Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard enter in the 68th minute for Martinelli and Jorginho.
Joshua Kimmich goal video
KIMMICH WITH A BULLET HEADER TO GIVE BAYERN THE LEAD 🎯💥 pic.twitter.com/UEnhqMEH8D
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 17, 2024
Bayern score! Bayern Munich 1-0 (3-2 aggregate) Arsenal (63rd minute)
Not a great sequence for Gabriel Martinelli.
He’s cooked by Leroy Sane on the right, with the ex-Man City man’s cross deflected onto the path of Raphael Guerreiro.
The fullback sends a cross back the other way, and Kimmich has blazed past Martinelli to head past David Raya.
Advantage, Arsenal.
Chess match
Not a lot going on here, but to prove we’re watching: Bayern have a 62nd-minute corner kick.
Kimmich wastes the corner kick wide of a far-post Olimpico that was likely unintentional.
Double chance out of the break
Bayern crack the cross bar from distance then the post on the rebound. The clock reads 46:05.
Instant energy.
Halftime — Bayern Munich 0-0 (2-2 aggregate) Arsenal
Ten total shots. Six for Arsenal including three on target.
Possession is 50/50. Anyone’s game in Munich.
Mikel Arteta will be happier than Thomas Tuchel.
Big recovery from Neuer
Martin Odegaard tries to catch Manuel Neuer out with a long attempt. Neuer scrambles back to paw it back from goal, eventually collecting it.
Close!
Bayern wide man Noussair Mazraoui crosses and it takes a slide turn off a sliding Ben White to bound out for a corner.
Slow so far
Only three shot attempts — none on target — as the game is almost exclusively between the 18s.
Early Bayern corner, er, Arsenal goal kick
Leroy Sane helps cue up a Harry Kane chance that is deflected out for a corner.
Ref doesn’t see it that way, and Arsenal let off.
Here we go!
Martin Odegaard leads the Gunners into a smoky Allianz Arena!
Bayern Munich lineup
Neuer, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Dier, Guerreiro, Kimmich, Laimer, Goretzka, Sane, Musiala, Kane
Arsenal lineup
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz
Bayern Munich focus, team news
Davies being out is a big blow as he was tasked with keeping Saka quiet last week. Raphael Guerreiro or Noussair Mazraoui will start at left back in Davies’ place. Gnabry and Coman both being injured is a blow too but Bayern still have Leroy Sane, Kane and Thomas Muller in attack who can cause plenty of problems.
OUT: Alphonso Davies (suspension), Serge Gnabry (hamstring), Kingsley Coman (thigh), Sacha Boey (hamstring), Bouna Sarr (knee)
Arsenal focus, team news
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber is back in training and building up his fitness after the long-term knee injury he suffered in the opening game of the season. Captain Martin Odegaard suffered a knock against Villa and came off but he is expected to be fit to lead the Gunners at Bayern. Will Arteta go back to playing Havertz up top with Jesus and Saka on the wings and Jorginho adding some extra defensive solidity in midfield? It feels like that would be the smart play.
OUT: Jurrien Timber (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Martin Odegaard (knock)
