Robert Lewandowski, Thiago Alcantara, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, UCL
Reuters

Another last 16 match, another performance akin to a team at amateur level – Arsenal fell by the wayside again against superior opposition as Bayern Munich ran riot at the Allianz Arena in their first leg match of the Champions League.

Another groundhog day for Arsenal

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The ease with which Wenger's teams over the last 12 years have collapsed mentally is an art in itself. And while there have been mental collapses of the highest order before, this one on Tuesday will take some beating.

Having done exceedingly well to get back on level terms after Alexis Sanchez notched the rebound off his own missed penalty following Arjen Robben's early opener, Arsenal went to pieces in the second half.

Robert Lewandowski made it 2-1 in the 53rd minute, before Thiago Alcantara gave Bayern a two-goal buffer with a strike three minutes later. A second goal from Thiago in the 64th minute and the Arsenal fall had begun with it reaching rock bottom when Thomas Muller made it 5-1 for Bayern Munich two minutes from time.

Try as Wenger might, there is now way he can explain away this performance and the fact that he could sit down for only three questions in the post-match press conference – such was the pain etched on his face following the defeat – said it all.

In the other game of the night, Real Madrid produced a 3-1 come-from-behind victory over Napoli.

Lorenzo Insigne gave the Italians the lead in the eighth minute, only for Karim Benzema to make kit 1-1, eleven minutes later.

Toni Kroos then fired in what proved to be the first leg winner four minutes into the second half before a Casemiro stunner in the 54th gave Real Madrid, the defending champions, the cushion they will need going into the second leg in Naples.

"Napoli are a great side and they made life tough for us," Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said. "They're capable of doing damage at any moment, but we too have our weapons to hurt the opposition.

"We put in a great performance, possibly our best. We recovered soon after going behind and got a goal and I'm happy with the result, we deserved this outcome.

"The tie isn't over yet. We need to go there and finish the job with this 3-1 advantage."

Results:

Bayern Munich 5-1 Arsenal

Scorers: Bayern: Arjen Robben (11), Robert Lewandowski (53), Thiago Alcantara (56, 63) and Thomas Muller (88). Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez (30).

Real Madrid 3-1 Napoli

Scorers: Real Madrid: Karim Benzema (18, Toni Kroos 49, Casemiro 54). Napoli: Lorenzo Insigne (8).