Arsenal were robbed of the chance to play on a level playing field against Bayern Munich as the referee sent off Laurent Koscielny while handing the visitors a penalty.
The team news before the game was as good as you could expect. Many wanted Lucas instead of Theo Walcott or Kieran Gibbs instead of Nacho Monreal, but for the most part fans were happy.
Of course, that didn’t last. Danny Welbeck was ill in the warm up and Arsenal have to replace him. Wenger turned to Olivier Giroud and Arsenal started the game with just six subs, a game plan dented and an attacking option shorn from the bench. You would never have known it.
Arsenal were by far the better of the teams, but after denying the home side a stonewall penalty in the first half, the same extra official ensured Laurent Kocielny was sent off for the mildest pushes on Lewandowki. The new rules state that the officials have to deem it an action without intention to win the ball to warrant a red when a penalty is given. It was soft, to say the least, and killed the tiniest glimmer of hope Arsenal still carried.
Here are the best tweets that I came across as the match developed
0 – 10 mins
Powerful message from the #FCBayern supporters at The Emirates!#MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/1mJU1oavvz
— FC Bayern US (@FCBayernUS) March 7, 2017
Emirates pitch covered in paper streamers/toilet paper thrown onto pitch pic.twitter.com/ggfFuAGJUw
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) March 7, 2017
Robben…inside on left foot. Everyone knows this except Monreal it seems. @DailyCannon
— Mat VP (@mat_v_p) March 7, 2017
10-20 minutes
Damn you Neuer. Good run, Theo!
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) March 7, 2017
Walcott is definitely one of the players Alexis loses his shit with.
— Ian McCourt (@ianmccourt) March 7, 2017
Should have been 1-0 but a poor touch from Walcott
— Michael Sheehy (@JamrockRover) March 7, 2017
The flat 3 in midfid allowing our wingers a lot more width
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) March 7, 2017
Did that hit the post
— Michael Sheehy (@JamrockRover) March 7, 2017
lol Giroud already in Neuer's head
— Your friend (@AmeriGunner) March 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/DailyCannon/status/839204388732272640
Remember how we topped our Champions League group and still ended up drawing Bayern?
Good times.
— Zärä (@goonerathena) March 7, 2017
Pretty much pic.twitter.com/GiNvkNT2yt
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) March 7, 2017
1 thing we learned from Arsenal v Bayern:
– Arsenal are better when they leave out their worst midfielder
Magic
— Lewis (@LGAmbrose) March 7, 2017
Bayern may think their grey & pink back shirts are edgy but Andre Agassi was rocking the Hot Lava look way back in 1990, & with a hair piece
— Sam Wallace (@SamWallaceTel) March 7, 2017
SMASHED IT!!!
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) March 7, 2017
Theooo
— Germangunners (@Germangunners) March 7, 2017
Mad this game's gonna be 5-5
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) March 7, 2017
Meaningless or not that is one hell of a finish. #Theo
— Arsene's Eyes (@Arsenes_Eyes) March 7, 2017
Theo with a Podolski
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) March 7, 2017
20-30 minutes
Damn you hope. DAMN YOU!
— Lee Hurley (@HLeeHurley) March 7, 2017
Only 3 more pic.twitter.com/pdhYj7eRRC
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) March 7, 2017
I like how Neuer held his pose after failing to save Walcott's shot. Like a batsman admiring his cover drive after being bowled.
— Dafydd Pritchard (@DafPritchard) March 7, 2017
By the way, for students of the Jo leaving the room and Arsenal scoring connection, she got into the bath five minutes ago..
— Paul (@rockthecasbah77) March 7, 2017
It's nice when everyone is interested pic.twitter.com/TQ5e59b8E7
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) March 7, 2017
30-40 minutes
Why why why ain't this the level for every week.
— Rocky's Boots (@JagerShakes) March 7, 2017
Has to be a penalty. pic.twitter.com/e0I2ZslOPC
— Terje (@ArsenalTerje) March 7, 2017
Pen all day
— ZP (@ZPAFC) March 7, 2017
That's a penalty on Walcott. Touchline official two yards away and shakes his head…
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) March 7, 2017
Referees, eh?
— Olivia Landry (@livlan) March 7, 2017
1 yard in front of an official. Stonewall. @uefa disgusting.
— Sam (@samuelJayC) March 7, 2017
How confident was that official behind the goal? Standing two yards away & he got it fucking wrong
— Bergkamp & Bergkamp (@Orangeiceman10) March 7, 2017
8 – Olivier Giroud is involved in eight goals in his last nine starts in the Champions League (7 goals, 1 assist). Efficient.
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) March 7, 2017
Love seeing the Ox playing like this.
— Olivia Landry (@livlan) March 7, 2017
Amazing that literally the only thing we've done is drop Coquelin
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) March 7, 2017
Ref is a Spurs fan
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) March 7, 2017
Ffs Giroud.
— Olivia Landry (@livlan) March 7, 2017
Has anyone asked the Wenger Out protesters what they do if Arsenal win 4-0 tonight? Apart from introspect, that is.
— Ian King (@twoht) March 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/Arsenal_Memz/status/839209580143996930
The cycle is so predictable. Arsenal nab a couple when tie's over, finish 4th. Media & fans back in Wenger cult mode. 10 year. On we go.
— Vera (@ChelsSince1970) March 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/7amkickoff/status/839209929420365824
If arsenal played the full season the way they played this first 36 mins they would be in a fight for first in the PL.. imo
— aa9skillz (@aa9skillz) March 7, 2017
Walcott shoving Alaba. It's quite funny to see Walcott shoving anyone…
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) March 7, 2017
Walcott aggro is the funniest aggro
— Tom Adams (@tomEurosport) March 7, 2017
I like this Theo!!
— You Are My Arsenal (@YouAreMyArsenal) March 7, 2017
The ref is a prick. Theo got shoved.
— Olivia Landry (@livlan) March 7, 2017
Walcott booked… this ref is fucking awful! #Arsenal
— Carl Bövis ⚽ (@CarlBovis_AFC) March 7, 2017
40-45 minutes
Not gonna lie, I believe all football should be like this game
— Lee Hurley (@HLeeHurley) March 7, 2017
Fuck me, that's a shocker from Vidal
— Lee Hurley (@HLeeHurley) March 7, 2017
No card? Heh
— Panda Monium (@arsenalpanda11) March 7, 2017
Hector man. 100th match in Arsenal's shirt – live up to the occasion
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) March 7, 2017
I'd book Theo for standing up if I were you, ref. Vidal'a stud-sharpening, though, all fine.
— Matt Scott (@Matt5cott) March 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/oilysailor/status/839206205411246080
2nd half
45-55 minutes
No injury, no tweak, just ill at the wrong moment. Devastated I couldn't play tonight.
— Danny Welbeck (@DannyWelbeck) March 7, 2017
FFS Giroud
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) March 7, 2017
Was actually a very tough header for Giroud
— Leutrim Rexhaj (@LeutrimRexhaj) March 7, 2017
That was brilliant from Ramsey
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) March 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/bayerncentral/status/839217022240239616
https://twitter.com/TimJames1989/status/839217726706995200
Every fucking year. This is a total joke.
— Olivia Landry (@livlan) March 7, 2017
Well that's corrupt
— Jonny (@JonnyOneill) March 7, 2017
Red card for Koscielny and a penalty too
— Michael Sheehy (@JamrockRover) March 7, 2017
This is the worst referee that ever existed
— Demi (@demi_AFC) March 7, 2017
This competition isn't fixed at all. Nu-uh.
— Paul (@rockthecasbah77) March 7, 2017
55-65 minutes
Wenger reacting to Koscielny red like Fergie did when Nani sent off v Real Madrid. Wonder why….
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) March 7, 2017
Not sure whether REFS are corrupt or just crap . Shame on you @FCBayern CHEATS
— Tim Hardwicke (@Arselona) March 7, 2017
Essence of Arsenal. Spirited performance. Penalty. Dodgy sending off. Out of Europe
— Ricardo (@dickdotcom) March 7, 2017
Sometimes, I feel the talk of refs being against Arsenal is just conspiracy talk. Then shit like that red card happens. Fucking joke.
— James 'Raul' Stökes (@JamesRaulStokes) March 7, 2017
Hard enough drawing Barcelona and Bayern each year without the officials giving them an easy pass every time we face them. @UEFA pic.twitter.com/OOvV4i6sF2
— Jas (@JasAFC) March 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/GoonerTyler/status/839220618792996865
If Xhaka is now considered a safer CB option than Gabriel, why is Rob Holding not on the bench instead?
— Lewis (@LGAmbrose) March 7, 2017
65-75 minutes
Alexis went peak Cesc there
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) March 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/nellypop13/status/839222023335337986
Alexis is not having fun tonight. Been one of the worst players on the pitch, and now that.
— The Gooner Zone (@thegoonerzone) March 7, 2017
Coquelin. Because 2-7 is not enough.
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) March 7, 2017
Hope Coquelin is coming on solely to attack the ref
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) March 7, 2017
Typical bad Reff cost us this Game at least No penalty 1st half Redcard penalty 2nd Half. Absolutely brutal Occasion way to big for this ref
— Darren rogers (@kevsat1) March 7, 2017
That 7th goal sealed it according to the commentator.
— Pinkman (@wrexy13) March 7, 2017
7 – Arsenal have conceded seven goals in a Champions League knockout tie for the first time. Humbled.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 7, 2017
Section of #afc fans turning on owner rather than Wenger now: "F*** off Stan Kroenke, get out of our club."
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) March 7, 2017
At least let Arsenal ruin shit for themselves on their own why the referees feel the need to contribute to our own fuckery is beyond me.
— Nana Alaouie (@nana_alaouie) March 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/curtis_harper/status/839218676586987520
75-85 minutes
Now I genuinely think the ref's biased. 4 shocking fouls on our players there and he gave nothing
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) March 7, 2017
#afc 1-3 #Bayern Costa, on as a sub, cuts inside on his left foot and bends a shot past Ospina.
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) March 7, 2017
Classic Coquelin. Came forward. Couldn't do anything. Passed sideways. We get caught. He's out of position
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) March 7, 2017
Least it isn't 8-2 anymore
— Lee Hurley (@HLeeHurley) March 7, 2017
Love jokes from United fans, wonder how they did in Champions League this season
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) March 7, 2017
Look at the seats. Everyone's just left
— Panda Monium (@arsenalpanda11) March 7, 2017
9-2. Delighted for all those troll accounts who can't re-use someone else's 8-2 tweets now.
— Stephen Bradley (@bradley08) March 7, 2017
We finished top of the group for this.
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) March 7, 2017
I'm sorry but when you hear a commentator say "9-2 to Bayern Munich", it's actually funny. Well, you gotta laugh, what else can you do?
— Paul (@rockthecasbah77) March 7, 2017
Xhaka at CB and players flooding forward all over the place. What are they trying to achieve. Just another demoralising night now. Stupid.
— Ryan Harden (@bry5913) March 7, 2017
26 – Only Barcelona (27 vs Celtic) have scored more CL goals vs a single opponent than Bayern have vs Arsenal (26). Battered.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 7, 2017
And we were genuinely good for a half and a bit. Nobody will remember that now
— Tom Pyman (@gooner_tom) March 7, 2017
TEN. @Arsenal delete club
— Sam (@samuelJayC) March 7, 2017
85-90 minutes
I'm pretty much dead inside when it comes to Arsenal these days but this is a bit embarrassing now.
— Jamie Dalton (@JamieDalton82) March 7, 2017
This is the first time Arsenal have ever conceded 5 goals in a single game at the Emirates.
Shocking night. pic.twitter.com/JSE4OFQtDP
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 7, 2017
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) March 7, 2017
Video: Alexis Sanchez reacts to Arsenal going 1-5 down vs. Bayern tonight. #afc pic.twitter.com/BNwT0vsDE7
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) March 7, 2017
In the end, it was as we all expected – an admirable effort after too much damage in the first leg coupled with a seriously dodgy refereeing performance. Next up, Lincoln City.