Arsenal's steady, stoic showing proves they have another hill to climb

Walking out at the Allianz Arena, the noise deafening, all Arsenal’s dreams were laid out in front of them; to play again at football’s very top table, to fight for the Champions League and to put the jitters up Premier League title rivals Manchester City in the process.

They couldn’t do it, and now the inquest will begin. 

Do Arsenal have the squad required to win the big trophies? Do they need a striker in the transfer market this summer? Will this painful set-back impact their performances in the remainder of the Premier League season?

Even so, this was not a night that deserves chastisement, just one in which they didn't grab the bull by the horns - which will feel like a disappointment.

On reflection, Arsenal may well feel they could have taken the game to Bayern rather than sitting back in their first quarter-final in 14 years. But it was always going to be a big ask for a young side that is still cementing its place at the top of the game.

Remember, even Arsene Wenger didn’t manage to win the big-eared trophy for the Gunners during his time in north London, although his side reached the final in 2006 before losing controversially in the Stade de France in a match that saw goalkeeper Jens Lehmann sent off in a narrow 2-1 defeat.

Now this young side wants to burn their own history onto Arsenal’s honours board, and taking the first step isn’t easy. As was ultimately highlighted here as they petered away in the second half just when they needed to step it up.

“Most of our players haven't experienced a night like this and it is going to be the first one,” admitted Arteta before the game – and that inexperience, a boisterous crowd and an experienced home team, was the difference in the end.

This was the kind of steady,