Arsenal slumped to their joint-heaviest defeat in the Champions League by losing 5-1 away at Bayern Munich.
The Gunners were three down at the break, with Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and David Alaba helping themselves to a goal apiece.
Arjen Robben was the next player to breach the visitors' net, scoring less than a minute after coming on, before Olivier Giroud and Muller added to the growing scoresheet in the final 20 minutes.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded in Bavaria with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Champions League group-stage meeting between Bayern Munich and Arsenal at the Allianz Arena. The Gunners may have prevailed in the reverse meeting, claiming a 2-0 win a fortnight ago, but all the pressure is still very much on them this evening.
That is because they remain in third place in Group F with three games played, knowing that anything less than a point in Bavaria could very well spell the end of their knockout-stage hopes. Nothing will be confirmed tonight, officially at least, yet the task facing Arsenal is certainly extremely tough.
To make life even tougher for Arsene Wenger, the Frenchman has had to contend with numerous injury problems since these sides last met two weeks ago. As many as nine players have failed to make the trip to Germany, with Hector Bellerin the latest to pull out just 24 hours ago. On that note, let's check out some team news!
TEAM NEWS!
BAYERN MUNICH XI: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Martinez, Alaba; Alonso, Alcantara, Coman; Muller, Costa, Lewandowski
ARSENAL XI: Cech; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Monreal, Cazorla, Coquelin, Campbell, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
So Mathieu Debuchy is in at right-back for the Gunners, replacing the aforementioned Bellerin who will be a big loss for the visiting side this evening. A chance for the Frenchman to shine nonetheless, although there is a further chance at the back with Gabriel coming in for the injured Laurent Koscielny.
The word on Koscielny is that he is suffering from a minor hip injury, so it is a mere precaution at this stage - yet certainly enough to rule him out of the starting lineup. Olivier Giroud leads the line for Arsenal, but with the likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey all absent, Joel Campbell retains his place on the right of a 4-2-3-1.
Arjen Robben is only on the bench for Bayern this evening, as is Arturo Vidal who also misses out on the starting lineup. In-form Douglas Costa will start out on the left, meanwhile, putting him up against Debuchy down that flank, with Thiago Alcantara, Thomas Muller and Kingsley Coman completing the five-man attacking midfield.
Xabi Alonso - a man who knows Arsenal very well from his time at Liverpool - will sit in front of the back four, leaving just one another attacking player of note to mention - a certain Robert Lewandowski. The Poland international has 17 goals in 16 appearances for Bayern so far this season, but his goal drought now stands at two games.
BENCH WATCH!
BAYERN MUNICH SUBS: Ulreich, Benatia, Robben, Rafinha, Vidal, Badstuber, Kimmich
ARSENAL SUBS: Macey, Chambers, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Iwobi, Reine-Adelaide
Koscielny having to settle for a place among the subs due to that hip injury, then, along with fellow defender Calum Chambers. It is certainly not the strongest bench Wenger has ever named, though, with the likes of reserve goalkeeper Matthew Ryan Macey, Alex Iwobi and Jeff Reine-Adelaide each making the 18-man squad.
In terms of the home side's back-ups, well they need little introduction. So much talent to choose from, not least Arturo Vidal - one of the most rounded midfielders on the planet - and a player boasting plenty of attacking flair in the shape of Arjen Robben. Rafinha and Medhi Benatia will also be hoping to feature at some stage tonight.
Another injury blow for Arsenal to contend with due to a knock picked up by Laurent Koscielny
It seems rather incredible to suggest heading into this game that there is a little pressure on the proverbial shoulders of Bayern Munich, but I guess that is the type of problem you face when among the top two or three sides on the planet. Defeat to Arsenal was quickly followed up by two wins, before dropping points for the first time this term in the Bundesliga at Frankfurt last time out.
The alarm bells are far from ringing, though, and the Bavarian giants still boast an impressive five-point lead at the top of the German top flight and occupy top spot in Group F. Should they slip up on home soil this evening, however, then all of a sudden progression is not quite the plain sail it looked two weeks ago.
Die Roten kicked their Champions League campaign off with two straightforward wins, beating Olympiacos 3-0 and putting five unanswered goals past Dynamo Zagreb. Then came that defeat at the Emirates Stadium last time out in this competition, which all of a sudden has put some extra meaning into this fixture for both sides.
Arsenal were very much down and out following successive defeats, with the annual question being asked - is it time for Wenger to step aside? Questions over the frailties in this side have not been fully answered yet - not in Europe, at least - with the Gunners' hopes of maintaining their impressive qualification record still hanging in the balance.
Domestically speaking, things are looking very bright for the Gunners. A League Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday aside, it is now five wins on the bounce to help spearhead a push for the title. It is certainly not the first time Arsenal have been in contention - they led the way for large parts two years ago, remember - but you do get the sense that they could see it through on this occasion.
So joint-top of the Premier League with a third of the season pretty much played, but dropping out of the Champions League really would hurt Arsene Wenger. For so long he has prided himself on not only qualifying for the competition on a regular basis, but also making it beyond the group stage. Should his side suffer defeat in Bavaria this evening, though, they face the real prospect of no post-Christmas football on the European stage.
DID YOU KNOW? Bayern have won their last seven home games in the Champions League, keeping five clean sheets and conceding a total of just three goals during that time. Going further back, in fact, the Bavarian giants have won 16 out of 17 in the group stage.
It is not all doom and gloom for Arsenal, though, who themselves have lost just one of their last seven away games against German opposition. Besides, the one team to beat Bayern during that pretty incredible home run? Manchester City in December 2013.
Bayern's record so far this season does make for some pretty incredible reading: Ten wins out of 11 - a German record; 33 goals scored; four goals conceded; a whole lot of momentum built up. Do not let the 0-0 draw at Frankfurt last Friday, or indeed the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, disguise the fact that this is a truly phenomenal side.
Arsenal themselves have started the campaign well on the whole, albeit with a sluggish start in Europe, which leaves them in a pretty decent position as things stand. A couple of defeats on the spin changes everything, though, especially considering that the safety net of boasting about the club's record of qualifying for the round of 16 is now in serious doubt.
Bayern Munich have bagged 21 goals across their last four home Champions League games
It is certainly worth taking a look at Group F in some further depth, considering we are now pretty much into the business end of things. With half the games played, the bottom line is that Arsenal are level on points with Zagreb at the wrong end of the four-team table.
Bayern Munich remain in the driving seat, despite losing their last match, while Olympiacos will be licking their lips at the prospect of topping the group come 10pm this evening. Some permutations now: Arsenal will not officially be out of the competition with defeat in Bavaria but, potentially six points off Bayern and Olympiacos with two games left, it will take an awful lot to recover.
It is worth mentioning that Olympiacos face Bayern away next before playing host to Arsenal, so potentially that last group game could be a win-or-bust scenario. It does not even bear thinking about at this stage, with the task in hand to pick up at least a point at the Allianz Arena here tonight.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! These two sides have met nine times before in European action, with Bayern edging things slightly thanks to four victories to their opponents' three. They have faced off twice in each of the last three years now, in fact, getting to know each other quite well during that time.
Arsenal claimed a 1-1 draw the last time they played at the Allianz Arena last year, but bowed out 3-1 on aggregate against the heavyweights of this competition. Would a repeat result - 1-1 that is - be considered a good outcome this evening? Wenger has himself claimed that his side are here for all three points.
With less than five minutes to go before we get underway, let's check out the pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Pep Guardiola: "[Arsenal] are one of Europe's top sides. It is a new game after we lost in London. This is a match we want to win in front of our supporters. We have another 90 minutes to move closer to qualifying for the next round."
Arsene Wenger: ""We need to give a similar performance to when we played in the first game. I expect Bayern to play offensively and try to put us under pressure. We have won everywhere in Europe and we will try to win this game."
Both sets of players have emerged from the tunnel, with the Champions League anthem and pre-match handshakes still to come. Plenty riding on this fixture for both sides, but the visitors in particular will feel under real pressure to pick up a positive result this evening.
Here we go, then - Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal on matchday four of the Champions League. Strap yourselves in!
KICKOFF! We are underway at the Allianz Arena! Giroud tried his luck inside the opening minute, but his effort was well off target in the end.
Bayern dictating the tempo of things early on, as was expected to be the case. That early Giroud shot provides some hope, though, with Arsenal just having to remain patient and pick their moments to attack.
Plenty of defending taking place early on here for Arsenal, but they are not having to particularly break a sweat to keep their opponents at bay. Campbell's attempted pass to Giroud is cut out by Bayern's backline up the other end; a mistake the Gunners cannot afford to keep repeating.
SHOT! David Alaba fires in the first shot on target, with a dipping effort from range that was easily collected down the middle by Cech. Arsenal won't mind restricting their opponents to the odd long shot in the knowledge that they have one of Europe's finest goalkeepers protecting the net.
Well Alaba's shot from range was understandable, having been given some space to do so, but Douglas Costa has just tried his luck from similar range with a rather wayward shot. Bayern not quite clicked into gear in these opening 10 minutes - plenty of sloppy passing.
GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 1-0 ARSENAL (ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI)
As simple as you like for Lewandowski, who heads home unmarked from just four yards out. It looked so simple, in fact, that many assumed the offside flag would go up after the Polish striker drifted in behind. Thiago was simply allowed to float in a ball, with Gabriel stepping out in the hope of catching his opponent offside, but it left Lewandowski with a nice close-range finish.
GOAL DISALLOWED! A huge moment in this match, just 60 seconds or so after Bayern raced into an early lead. A fine Arsenal move culminated in Ozil tucking the ball home at the front post, sparking scenes of celebration among visiting players and fans. Those celebrations were soon cut short, though, with the referee - correctly - spotting that the German used his shoulder to guide the ball home.
SAVE! Coman catches out Debuchy with his run in behind, but the pass has just a little too much on it. Lewandowski then fired in a shot which Cech was simply happy to shove aside for a corner, before the Pole followed up that curled strike with a header that Cech this time kept hold of.
There is no denying that Arsenal are second best right now. Ozil thought he had cancelled out Lewandowski's opener, earning a yellow in the process of scoring that illegal goal, but since then Bayern have dominated things. Constant pressing from the German outfit.
Alonso has just lowered the tone of this clash of European heavyweights by smashing the corner flag with his boot, rather than connecting fully with the ball, which draws a few smiles from the crowd.
This Bayern pressing is relentless, as they keep Arsenal camped in their own half of the pitch. All about survival for Arsenal and riding out this wave, but they will need to attack at some stage.
YELLOW CARD! Well despite the Bayern domination, it still remains at 1-0 with a quarter of the match played. Douglas Costa and Alcantara in particular seeing an awful lot of the ball, with Campbell the latest to be drawn into making a challenge which earns him a yellow
UPDATE! Bayern still looking comfortable in Bavaria, albeit with just the single goal to show for their efforts so far in the opening 25 minutes, but over in Greece there is a surprise lead for Dinamo Zagreb at Olympiacos.
A glimmer of a chance for Arsenal as the ball bounces awkwardly for Campbell to cut it back into a central position, but Alexis couldn't quite get into a settled position. Bayern come forward again, though, which could spell trouble...
GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 2-0 ARSENAL (THOMAS MULLER)
Bayern now have a two-goal lead against the Gunners, with things looking increasingly bleak now for the visiting side. Arsenal were left completely overrun, not for the first time tonight, with a ball from the right simply not being dealt with. Coman's initial strike eventually fell into the path of Muller, who made no mistake from six yards out to lash home.
Arsenal badly struggling to match the defensive levels witnesses 15 days ago, which is not all that surprising considering Koscielny is among the subs this evening. Wenger said pre-match that the centre-back perhaps could have featured, begging the question just why wasn't he thrown in from the start? An eye on Tottenham, perhaps?
Lewandowski celebrates opening the scoring for Bayern inside the opening 10 minutes, which Muller added to with a simple second
Bayern just completely dominating things. That third goal will arrive before half time if things continue in this manner, as Arsenal continue to afford their opponents acres of space - particularly out wide - which the hosts are thriving on.
I'm just wondering whether Bayern may rue not making the most of this domination come the second half. Twenty-one players currently inside Arsenal's half - everyone bar Neuer - as this relentless attacking play continues. One criticism, other than the fact that only two goals have been scored, is that chances have actually been kept to a minimum.
SHOT! There's certainly no shame about being outclassed by the Bundesliga champions, but Monreal and Debuchy are being given the run-around. Muller is the latest to drive an effort in, which is pretty straightforward for Cech to get hold of down low.
CLOSE! All the problems still coming from the wide areas for Arsenal, with Lahm's overload on that side allowing a cross to come in which Muller connects with at the second time of asking. Cech did well to react by pushing the volley over the bar - a fine save.
GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 3-0 ARSENAL (DAVID ALABA)
Bayern Munich have been truly phenomenal this half, with three goals just about what they deserve for their efforts so far. The first two goals came from four or five yards out, well this is all about Alaba's long-range drive. The full-back felt left out so pushed forward into a central midfield berth - a position he is well suited to - curling the ball out of the reach of Cech from outside the box.
HALF TIME: BAYERN MUNICH 3-0 ARSENAL
Well, where to start after that - a true spanking for Arsenal! Bayern were absolutely superb, pressing their opponents throughout and completely dictating things from the first minute until the last of a one-sided first half.
Arsenal seemingly gave each Bayern player about four yards of space to operate in, as witnessed with the first goal. Thiago was in acres around 20 yards out, but rather than take the shot on himself he floated one in for Lewandowski to head home unmarked. The Arsenal defence, pressing out in the hope of catching the in-form striker offside, were nowhere to be seen.
It may have been a different game entirely had Arsenal's disallowed goal stood just 60 seconds or so later, but the officials spotted that Ozil used the upper part of his arm to direct a front-post cross past Neuer. From that point on only one side looked like scoring, with Cech being called into action on a few occasions.
The second goal was provided by Muller, who has this healthy habit of finding himself in the right place at the right time, as he got on the end of Coman's wayward shot to fire beyond Cech with the aid of a Mertesacker deflection. Then came Alaba's third on the brink of half time - the least that the hosts deserved - this time getting the better of Cech from long range.
BENCH WATCH!
BAYERN MUNICH SUBS: Ulreich, Benatia, Robben, Rafinha, Vidal, Badstuber, Kimmich
ARSENAL SUBS: Macey, Chambers, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Iwobi, Reine-Adelaide
I mentioned the disparity between the benches prior to kickoff, and Wenger's cause has hardly been helped by the concession of three goals in the opening 45 minutes. Bringing on Koscielny is an option, even if his is carrying a knock, while Gibbs and Chambers provide further options at full-back. Debuchy in particular has been run ragged, with Monreal has also struggling on the other side.
As things stand, Arsenal find themselves bottom of Group F due to Zagreb taking a first-half lead away at Olympiacos.
RESTART! We are back underway at the Allianz Arena. Wenger has surprisingly opted against making any changes at the break, although his options are pretty limited.
Sixty passes for Thiago Alcantara alone in that first half; as many as some (admittedly poor) teams make in a game! The second half as continued in an identical manner, as Bayern switch things around and dictate the tempo.
Some very nice play from Arsenal, better than anything we have seen from them so far, ends with Alexis getting in a shot on the edge of the box which is blocked aside. Something to build on, perhaps, which the visiting fans respond to by making some noice.
A much better response from Arsenal over the past five minutes. All they have to show for it is that Alexis shot, but we do at last have signs of some sort of revival. Having said that, Douglas Costa skipped his way into the box at ease before seeing his shot deflect wide up the other end.
BAYERN MUNICH SUB! Those tiring Arsenal full-backs are going to love this. Robben has replaced Coman with 35 minutes left to play at the Allianz Arena.
GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 4-0 ARSENAL (ARJEN ROBBEN)
Thirty-eight seconds I make it. Thirty-eight seconds between Robben being introduced and the former Chelsea man picking out the back of the net for goal number four. It was another fine Bayern attack, with Alaba now back in his more traditional full-back position to cross for Robben at the front post, where he struck it into the roof of the net.
CHANCE! Arsenal's best chance of the night by some distance, which perhaps deserved to end with the net rustling. Cazorla was played in on goal, but Neuer was quickly out as ever to keep out the attempt.
ARSENAL SUB! It has been a difficult evening for Joel Campbell, who is replaced by Kieran Gibbs with half-hour still to play. Little hiding the fact that Wenger is desperate to shore up those wide areas now.
No signs of Arsenal dropping their heads, it must be said. They have actually played better - in spells - since going four behind than at any other stage of the match. Still, Bayern looking like they have another couple in them at least, despite dropping off somewhat.
Again Arsenal get bodies forward following a dangerous counter-attacking move, but Olivier Giroud's cross from the right is well dealt with by, of all people, Arjen Robben back in his own area. The Gunners deserve a consolation goal for this fine response.
Thomas Muller celebrates scoring his side's second of the night, as Arsenal's dejected players trudge away
UPDATE! Olympiacos have now drawn level against Zagreb, having already missed a penalty. Not great news for Arsenal, who ideally need to Greek side to lose this evening.
BAYERN MUNICH SUB! Jerome Boateng is being given a rest for the final 20 minutes, with Medhi Benatia the more-than-adequate replacement. Not a great deal happening on the field at the moment, in the quietest spell of the game thus far.
GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 4-1 ARSENAL (OLIVIER GIROUD)
Arsenal have played some nice football since going four behind, but this consolation was largely down to the work of Giroud. Alexis chipped the ball into the box for the striker to chest down and acrobatically volley past the outstretched arm of Neuer. Just three more needed now, lads.
BAYERN MUNICH SUB! Vidal has been brought on to strengthen up the Bayern midfield, with Lewandowski the man to be replaced.
Robben's shot forces Cech into making a save, which Arsenal look to break from when successfully defending the corner. Giroud attempted to catch Neuer off his line, but the attempt was well short in the end. Sixteen minutes to go in Bavaria.
It's a shame that Bayern failed to keep up their high levels, but it matters little in the grand scheme of things. Goal difference will make little difference to them, as they take control of Group F heading into the final two games. For Arsenal, on the other hand, hopes of progression are looking increasingly bleak.
CHANCE! A real chance for Cazorla to pull back a second for his side, but he fails to convert Coquelin's pull-back from just a few yards out. The Spaniard was furious at himself for fluffing his lines, with Arsenal really knocking the door for a second.
Well on the balance of things this has been Arsenal's half. They look dangerous when getting bodies forward; the latest half-chance coming Mertesacker's way at a corner, which he opted to head deep. Gibbs then knocked it towards Alexis, but Bayern cleared their lines well.
Vidal wants a penalty after seeing his header his Mertesacker's hand, but it would have been very harsh had the referee pointed to the spot. Bayern taking the sting out of things now by knocking the ball around in midfield.
CHANCE! Robben somehow denied a second goal by Debuchy's perfectly-timed challenge. Thiago played the substitute clean through on goal with just Cech to beat and, after rounding the goalkeeper, he looked a certainty to roll the ball home. Debuchy made up good ground to clear the ball, though, avoiding giving away a penalty and earning a straight red in the process.
ARSENAL SUB! A big moment for Alex Iwobi, who replaces Giroud for his European debut.
CHANCE! Bayern may have taken their foot off the gas over the past 30 minutes, but they are creating chances at will now. Thiago again is the orchestrator, playing in Muller in a decent position. The forward simply took too long over his shot, though, and was eventually denied by Monreal.
ARSENAL SUB! Santi Cazorla is now off in what will be the final change of the evening for both sides, with Calum Chambers the man to take his place.
GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 5-1 ARSENAL (THOMAS MULLER)
Far, far too easy for Bayern - much like it has been for the past five minutes or so. Costa uses his pace to create a two-on-two scenario, playing in Muller to guide the ball past Cech into the bottom corner. Not the easiest of openings, but the Germany international certainly knows how to find the net.
Three minutes of additional time to play in Bavaria. Bayern have now scored five goals in a home game for a fifth time this season. Incredible!
UPDATE! Some big news from elsewhere in Group F, as Olympiacos take the lead against Dinamo Zagreb in the last minute. Another bad European night for the Gunners.
Bayern simply knocking the ball around now to see this one through. It has been a stellar display by the German giants.
FULL TIME: BAYERN MUNICH 5-1 ARSENAL
The full-time whistle sounds at the Allianz Arena, marking Arsenal's joint-worst ever defeat in the Champions League. Victory for Olympiacos elsewhere in Group F makes matters even worse, too, leaving the Gunners essentially needing snookers now to progress through.
Thomas Muller helped himself to two goals, while Robert Lewandowski, Arjen Robben and David Alaba also found the target across the 90 minutes. Arsenal enjoyed their best spell when four goals behind, bagging a deserved consolation through Olivier Giroud, but in the end it was a straightforward win for the Bavarian giants.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage from events at the Allianz Arena, but be sure to stick around with player ratings, analysis and plenty of reaction to come from a memorable night in Bavaria.
