Football world tears Arsenal apart after Bayern collapse
After falling behind early, Arsenal fans had every reason to dream about leaving Germany with a positive result when Alexis Sanchez made it 1-1 at the half-hour mark.
It was all downhill after halftime, however, as Laurent Koscielny triggered a defensive collapse when he was forced to leave the tie through injury.
A Robert Lewandowski goal and Thiago Alcantara brace later, Arsenal found itself facing elimination with over 25 minutes to go in the first leg of the Round of 16 encounter as Bayern enjoyed a 4-1 advantage.
Thomas Muller added the cherry on top with Bayern’s fifth in the 90th minute.
The Twitter world was predictably quick to pounce on Arsenal like a lion stumbling across a carcass:
49 – Arsenal with Koscielny : 1 goal conceded in 49 minutes
Arsenal without Koscielny : 3 goals conceded in the next 14 minutes. Dependant.— OptaJean (@OptaJean) February 15, 2017
We are a ******g shambles ?
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) February 15, 2017
You lose Koscielny, you lose.
— Arsène’s Son (@hughwizzy) February 15, 2017
Can’t have a thrilling second-leg comeback if you don’t get blown out in the first leg pic.twitter.com/QOp3zf2OJj
— Howler Magazine (@whatahowler) February 15, 2017
Set up nicely for a heartening but ultimately fruitless 2-0 win back at the Emirates
— Jack Lang (@jacklang) February 15, 2017
It’s been 10 whole minutes… #UCL #FCBARS 4-1 pic.twitter.com/KcJmCwHkld
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) February 15, 2017
Alexis Sanchez after Bayern makes it 5-1. pic.twitter.com/uLdkZekKvH
— Joshua Robinson (@JoshRobinson23) February 15, 2017
5-1. #afc thrashed. Wenger humiliated. When will Kroenke and the board stop sleepwalking, wake up and see the problem? No leadership.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) February 15, 2017
STOP THE FIGHT
— Jason Davis (@davisjsn) February 15, 2017
It’s happening again #FCBvAFC pic.twitter.com/DUT3Ze7gKr
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) February 15, 2017
5-1 here in Nov 2015. Heading that way again now. Arsenal 4-1 down to a ferocious Bayern assault, with three in 10 minutes.
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) February 15, 2017
Arsenal have completely disintegrated. An utter shambles and rudderless after koscielny went off.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 15, 2017
Maybe Barcelona and Arsenal can start a league for clubs that get annihilated in the #UCL Round of 16.
— Church of Soccer (@churchofsoccer) February 15, 2017
