Arsenal shrunk in the face of the occasion, writes OLIVER HOLT

When the time came to show that they were ready to mix with European royalty again without looking like paupers in rags next to the ermine of the elite, Arsenal shrunk in the face of the occasion.

Faced with a Bayern Munich side that has fallen from grace in its domestic season but which has won this competition six times, Arsenal played for large parts of the tie with all the uncertainty and gaucheness of schoolboys who didn’t believe they belonged among the adults.

Arsenal had conceded two goals in their last ten games before this tie. Against Bayern, they conceded two goals in 14 minutes. Bayern are European aristocracy and instead of laughing at how frayed their robes have become, for much of the game, Arsenal bowed to them.

They took an early lead through Bukayo Saka in the first leg of their first Champions League quarter-final for 14 years but were soon pegged back by a fine Bayern equaliser from Serge Gnabry.

And then the salt that many had feared would be rubbed in their wounds began to sting. Harry Kane, who had scored 14 goals for Spurs in his previous 19 appearances against Arsenal and is the record scorer in north London derbies, made it 15 in 20 with a first half penalty. It was his 39th goal of the season.

Arsenal did conjure a late second half rally with an equaliser from substitute Leandro Trossard but the 2-2 draw means they have a mountain to climb when they go to the Allianz Arena for the second leg next Wednesday and the Bayern fans who were banned from the ground here will be in full voice.

There was a feeling before the game that the biggest obstacle Arsenal might face against Bayern was themselves. Perhaps it is overstating matters to say that their European misadventures made them a laughing stock