Given the final score, it’s easy to forget that Arsenal matched Bayern Munich for a good proportion of their Champions League last 16 first-leg tie.
The Gunners went into the break level at 1-1, with Alexis Sánchez tucking home the rebound after his penalty was saved by Manuel Neuer to cancel out Arjen Robben’s opener.
Indeed, they were looking comfortable – or as comfortable as you can look against one of the best teams in Europe – before Laurent Koscielny left the pitch with an injury and the floodgates opened.
Robert Lewandowski and Thiago helped themselves to three goals in the space of 10 minutes, before a late strike from substitute Thomas Müller left the London club with what is almost certainly an insurmountable task in the away leg.
Look away now @Arsenal fans…
We relive all the #FCBvAFC goals here ⬇️ #UCL https://t.co/8RTogrTf4c
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 15, 2017
French newspaper L’Équipe has a reputation for excessively harsh player ratings.
Only a handful of players have ever received a perfect 10, though Lewandowski is among them after his four-goal haul while playing for Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid in 2013.
And back in September, when Arsenal were battered in a 1-1 draw away to Paris Saint-Germain, not a single one of their outfield players earned more than half-marks from the publication.
Les notes du match d'hier entre PSG et Arsenal (1-1) selon @lequipe. J'insiste : selon @lequipe. #PSGARS #LDC pic.twitter.com/dkuwxqKmZm
— God Save The Foot (@GodSaveTheFoot) September 14, 2016
In fact, the 39/100 scored by the 10 outfield players on that night was matched in Munich, though Alexis and Koscielny each earned themselves six out of 10.
And the ratings also help emphasise the fact that – for swathes of the game at least – Bayern weren’t actually that good.
Sixes and sevens about for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, with just Lewandowski and Thiago scoring higher. Even Neuer, who saved from the spot and made important stops from Mesut Özil and Granit Xhaka, was stuck on 6/10.
If someone told you the two games finished with the same scoreline, you wouldn’t find that too hard to believe.
For once, I think @lequipe have been very kind with their ratings #BayernMunich #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/wYdzF5DWpT
— Andrew 🦄🏴 (@thegibshow_) February 16, 2017
Catch up with this week’s episode of 888sport Football Friday Live
