A packed Allianz Arena was the backdrop for the second clash of the season between the mighty Bayern Munich and an Arsenal side in a patchy run of form, with the Bavarians winning 5-1.

Bayern take control straight away

Bayern started as expected, taking their usual majority of posession and pushing forward from the kick off. Early efforts came from David Alaba and Douglas Costa, both firing shots from outside the box but nothing that troubled Petr Čech, who was no doubt hoping to repeat his clean sheet from the reverse fixture.

A momentary lapse in the Arsenal defense was all the opportunity Bayern needed. Thiago Alcântara was left enough space to lift the ball into the box where Robert Lewandowski was waiting. The Polish striker placed a glancing header into the bottom left of Čech's goal, giving the Bavarians an early lead.

Arsenal were quick to respond, making the most of possesion from the restart. A neat ball through to Nacho Monreal was crossed in to Mesut Özil, who nudged the ball into the net to level the score. The celebrations were short-lived however, as calls for handball were echoed by the referee, disallowing the goal and leaving Özil with nothing but a yellow card for his efforts.

Keen to press home the advantage, Die Roten continued their attack, with runs up both wings from Costa and Kingsley Coman keeping the Arsenal defence busy. Thomas Müller and Lewandowski kept Čech busy, but the Czech international was equal to the shots thrown at him.

Müller and Alaba make it two, then three

A second goal for Bayern seemed inevitable, however, and it was Thomas Müller that was able to find the net. A sliced shot by Coman fell at his feet, and he had just enough space to turn and shoot from close range. A lucky deflection carried the ball just beyond the outstretched arms of Čech and into the bottom right of the goal, giving Müller his first of the night.

Even when they did manage to win the ball, Arsenal struggled to make progress up the pitch. The absence of Theo Walcott combined with constant pressure from Bayern meant that breaks were few and far between for the visitors.

Never satisfied with a narrow win, Bayern continued to push until half time, and it was David Alaba who was able to edge his side further in front. A great solo effort saw him win the ball from Santi Cazorla, take it forward to the edge of the box and curl it into the top left corner of Čech's goal, leaving Arsenal with plenty of ground to make up in the second half.

There was no let up from Bayern as the second half got underway, although Arsenal seemed more alive than in the first. Alexis Sánchez was finally able to have a decent shot at Manuel Neuer, but his strike was blocked by the outstretched leg of Javi Martinez.

Two more Bayern goals are sandwiched by Giroud strike

Pep Guardiola's first substitution of the night proved to be a fruitful one, as Arjen Robben came off of the bench and promptly stuck the ball in the the back of the net. A good run forward from Alaba and a short pass into the box found the Dutchman's lethal left foot. He wasted no time in firing the ball over Peter Čech and into the roof of the net, a mere 38 seconds after taking to the pitch.

A more even game followed, with chances coming at both ends of the pitch. Santi Carzola found his way through the Bayern defence, but was unable to beat Neuer. The Germany international was cool as ever, getting both hands on the ball and cutting out the danger.

Arsenal's change of pace finally paid off, as Olivier Giroud gave the visiting fans something to cheer about. A good cross from Sánchez on the left wing found the striker with enough space to chest the ball up and fire an overhead kick past Manuel Neuer.

Arjen Robben managed a solo break at the other end of the pitch and was able to dribble the ball around Petr Čech. Only a brilliant last-ditch tackle by Mathieu Debuchy denied the Dutchman his second of the night.

The pace of the game was noticeable slower as it neared its conclusion, but there was still more to come from Die Roten. A run by Sánchez was intercepted by Thiago and played forward to Costa, whose pace was enough to take him past the entire Arsenal midfield and play the ball through to an unmarked Muller. An inch-perfect finish from the German forward slid in at Čech's right post, wrapping up the Gunners' worst ever Champions League defeat and leaving them with a mountain to climb if they hope to break out of the group and into the round of 16.

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