Arsenal have three players to blame with inquest set to begin after Bayern Munich Champions League exit

Arsenal have three players to blame with inquest set to begin after Bayern Munich Champions League exit

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Arsenal crash out of Champions League to Bayern Munich

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 18/04/2024

- 09:42

The north London giants' wait for European glory continues

Arsenal are set to hold an inquest today following their Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.

The Gunners had travelled to Germany confident of going through after a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium last week.


However, they were sunk following a brilliant header from Joshua Kimmich in the 63rd minute - with their season, one that promised so much, now at risk of fizzling out.

GB News now takes a look at three players who toiled at the Allianz Arena as their hopes of European glory were ruthlessly ended by Thomas Tuchel's side.

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal Bayern Munich

Arsenal lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich on Wednesday night with Joshua Kimmich scoring the only goal of the game

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There's no denying Bukayo Saka is brilliant. He is the future of this Arsenal team, while he's also set to play a key role for England in the coming years.

On Wednesday, however, the winger shrunk amid the pressure - instead of rising to it.

Saka offered precious little on the right wing, with the 22-year-old unable to get the better of Noussair Mazraoui.

There are question marks over his fitness and whether he's actually able to play at the peak of his powers, having picked up a knock against Manchester City on Easter Sunday.

Arsenal need Saka back to his best, and fast, if they're to save their season.

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz has proved plenty of people wrong since his move from Chelsea back in the summer.

But the brutal truth of the matter is that Arsenal need better than the Germany international to win competitions like these.

Havertz was typically clunky at the tip of Mikel Arteta's attack, with the former Chelsea star failing to provide much of an outlet.

Arsenal, if they are to kick on, need a new marksman.

Ivan Toney is available and while the England international would represent a risk, his goalscoring ability speaks for itself.

Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli toiled during his side's Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich

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You don't get too many big chances when you're facing Bayern away from home.

And Arsenal will be haunted by a miss from Gabriel Martinelli in the first half, one that ultimately proved costly.

Martin Odegaard found the Brazil international in the box but Martinelli, despite having space, could only shoot straight at Manuel Neuer.

With Arsenal failing to create many opportunities, that would be as good as it got.

Martinelli is a class act but this miss will haunt Arsenal as their dreams of European glory went up in smoke.

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Mikel Arteta reaction

Speaking after his side's Champions League exit, Mikel Arteta admitted his players were 'gutted'.

"At the moment it's a gutted dressing room, very disappointed," he said.

"I cannot find the right words to leave them, I wish I had.

"We have to go through it. We tried against a team with a lot of experience.

"Through the tie the margins have been very small. There were moments that we were better, we gave them two goals - that is a big advantage to give away.

Arsenal Bayern Munich

Arsenal were surprisingly flat as they crashed out of the Champions League to Bayern Munich​

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"Today you could see that it was a zero margin of error, we made a mistake defensively in the box, big one, and we give away the goal.

"Now is the moment to stick with the players, because they need our support. They are the ones that have taken us on this journey."

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