Bayern were relentless in the second half against Arsenal as they eased into the quarter-finals. - © © gettyimages / Clive Mason
Bayern were relentless in the second half against Arsenal as they eased into the quarter-finals. - © © gettyimages / Clive Mason

Bayern thrash Arsenal again to reach quarter-finals

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Bayern Munich eased into the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals thanks to another 5-1 win over Arsenal FC in the second leg of their round of 16 tie, giving them a 10-2 aggregate victory.

FC Arsenal 1-5 Bayern Munich

Goals: 1-0 Walcott (20'), 1-1 Lewandowski (pen. 55'), 1-2 Robben (68'), 1-3 Costa (78'), 1-4 Vidal (80'), 1-5 Vidal (85')

Following Bayern's overwhelming victory in the first leg, Arsenal needed four goals without reply here in order to go through and duly began believing they could get them. Early warnings from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud went unheeded by the visitors, before Walcott fired the hosts in front with a fierce finish from a tight angle. Bayern's best chance to get on the scoresheet in the first half fell to Robert Lewandowski, but he dragged his volley wide following Arjen Robben's clever chipped pass.

Carlo Ancelotti's men were much improved after the break and took control of the match when Lewandowski scored from the penalty spot after being brought down by Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny, who was sent off for his challenge. Robben then took advantage of a defensive mistake to give Bayern the lead, and there was subsequently no looking back, with further goals from Douglas Costa and an Arturo Vidal brace crowning another ruthless performance from the Bundesliga leaders.

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Man of the match

Thiago. The Spaniard was masterful once again in midfield, demonstrating breathtaking close control, vision and passing to keep Bayern dominating midfield.

Talking point

Bayern did all the hard work in the first leg, and although they were not as impressive in this fixture, they thoroughly deserved to go through. Nobody will want to face the Bavarians when the quarter-final draw is made on 17 March.

Match Stats

    Bayern had 56 per cent possession overall.Arturo Vidal had more touches (81) and completed more passes (65) than any other player on the pitch.Bayern had 16 shots on goal compared to Arsenal's nine.

Line ups

Arsenal: Ospina – Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny (c), Monreal – Ramsey (Coquelin 72'), Xhaka – Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud (Özil 72') – Sanchez (Perez 72')

Coach: Arsene Wenger

Bayern: Neuer (c) – Rafinha, Martinez, Hummels, Alaba – Vidal, Alonso, Thiago (Sanches 79')  – Robben (Costa 70'), Lewandowski, Ribery (Kimmich 79')

Coach: Carlo Ancelotti