Mikel Arteta aims dig at Bayern Munich tactics after Arsenal crash out of Champions League

Arteta’s side were unable to break down Bayern (Picture: Getty)

Mikel Arteta appeared to question Bayern Munich’s tactical approach following Arsenal’s elimination from the Champions League.

After a 2-2 draw in north London last week, Bayern scored the only game of the second leg on Wednesday night to book their place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Joshua Kimmich slammed home a thunderous header after 63 minutes with Bayern’s experience – noted as something that could be worth an ‘extra five per cent’ ahead of kick off by head coach Thomas Tuchel – playing a telling role in keeping the Gunners at bay.

Bayern have endured an underwhelming domestic season having surrendered the Bundesliga title for the first time in 11 years with Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry both ruled out of last night’s game through injury with Alphonso Davies suspended.

Arteta was left to rue a missed opportunity, suggesting the German giants were forced to change their entire game plan to get the win.

‘It was a tie of very small margins,’ Arteta said. ‘In the first leg obviously we conceded two very poor goals and that had a big effect on the tie.

‘I think it was a game you could see that an error or a magical moment was going to decide the tie, the margins are so small. And in the end, we didn’t defend well at all our box in that action.

Kimmich scored the goal that sent Bayern through (Picture: Getty)

‘Credit to the opponent as well, it’s very difficult to break opponents down, especially when they play the manner that they play which they never do. But we had our moments, especially in the first half.

‘In the second half, we struggled a little bit more to keep that rhythm, that momentum. With the changes we tried, in a different way.

‘They are never games with big, big chances, very rare to see that at this stage of the Champions League, but it’s the moment to be next to our players, to be thankful of the journey that we’ve been involved with together.

‘Unfortunately, at the end of today, it is painful but we have to learn from it.’

Arsenal’s focus now shifts back to the Premier League, trailing Manchester City by two points with six games of the season remaining.

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