Can anyone stop Bayern Munich?
That's the question
following the German side's 2-0 victory over Arsenal Wednesday in the last-16
of the Champions League.
Already 16 points
clear in the German Bundesliga and unbeaten in 21 league games, Bayern is
looking like the team to beat once again.
Bayern, which is
hoping to become the first team to successfully defend the title since the
competition was revamped in 1992, claimed a hard-fought win thanks to Toni
Kroos' second half strike and Thomas Muller's header.
It could and indeed should
have been different but Arsenal wasted a glorious opportunity in the early
stages when Mesut Ozil missed from the penalty spot.
The home side's
misery was compounded eight minutes before the break when goalkeeper Wojciech
Szczesny was sent off after bringing down Arjen Robben in the penalty area.
David Alaba stood up
to take the spot kick but could only strike his effort against the post.
Bayern, which won 3-1
at Emirates Stadium at the same stage last season, began to lay siege to the
Arsenal goal.
And with nine minutes
of the second half having elapsed, Kross unleashed a sumptuous strike which
flew past substitute goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
The visitors refused
to let up in their pressure and Robben had an effort well saved when his shot
appeared destined for the far corner.
Pep Guardiola's side
did finally secure the second goal it so badly craved when substitute Muller
headed home Philipp Lahm's cross with three minutes of normal time remaining.
There was still time
for Kroos, who scored in the game between the clubs last season, to hit the
post with a measured drive.
Arsenal will now head
to Munich on March 11 with hopes of pulling off a repeat of their 2-0 victory
last season.
The same result would
give Arsene Wenger's men the opportunity to take the tie into extra-time but it
faces an uphill struggle against a rampant Bayern.
"We started
really well and deserved one goal," Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker told
Sky Sports.
"We dropped and
dropped after the red card. We kept our defensive spirit.
"We lost here
3-1 last year against Bayern Munich and went there and beat them and we are
looking forward to Munich. Why can't we get back in it?
"I think there
is no doubt there was contact (for the penalty). I don't know if it was a red
card because the ball was a long way from Wojciech Szczesny."
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