Arsenal frustration

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere reacts after being defeated by Bayern Munich in their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London, Feb 19, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Bayern looked capable of putting the tie to bed before halftime and almost did so moments before the break when Mandzukic rose majestically to meet Philipp Lahm's cross but placed his powerful header agonisingly wide.

Arsenal's frustration resulted in first-half bookings for Bacary Sagna, Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta while Bayern's Bastian Schweinsteiger was yellow-carded for kicking the ball away and will be ruled out of the return leg in Bavaria.

Schweinsteiger's moment of ill-discipline looked irrelevant with his side so dominant but the hosts responded after the interval to try to make the second leg more than a formality.

Ten minutes into the second half, a corner from Wilshere found Arsenal's former Bayern forward Lukas Podolski unmarked and he gratefully nodded past keeper Manuel Neuer.

It was the first goal conceded by Bayern this year and rattled the visitors as the home crowd sensed that maybe all was not lost amid memories of Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Barcelona in 2010 when they also trailed 2-0.

Arsenal substitute Olivier Giroud nearly equalized with his first touch after joining the fray with 20 minutes left but his sweetly-struck shot from Walcott's cross went straight at Neuer.

The revival was cut short after 77 minutes when Bayern counter-attacked in devastating fashion and Lahm's skidding cross spun up and in off Bayern's Croatia striker Mandzukic.

Arsenal huffed and puffed looking for another reply but Bayern were better in every department and Wenger's dejected team left the pitch with boos again ringing in their ears as their season threatened to comletely unravel.