LONDON, England - Bayern Munich routed Arsenal 5-1 in the Champions League last-16 first leg clash in Munich on Wednesday and the result has highlighted several key points about both teams involved.
Wenger must ask himself serious questions
Another season, another European disappointment for Arsenal. With the club's Premier League hopes already gone, Arsene Wenger must ask himself if he really has the motivation to carry on.
Arsenal were crushed on Wednesday night. Outplayed, outfought and outrun. Calls for his resignation were already growing and that performance is sure to see them increase.
For a club of such stature, Arsenal have gone far too long without challenging for major honours. Will Wednesday's humbling be the final straw for Arsene?
Bayern are Champions League contenders
There may have been doubts over this ageing Bayern team coming into the game but their second-half performance proved they are still among the very best in Europe.
Carlo Ancelotti has won this competition three times before and while there have been some signs of unrest in Bavaria, it would be a brave person who bets against him getting a fourth.
Bayern are seven points clear in the Bundesliga despite not playing as well as in recent seasons. If they can wrap that up early again, they can focus all their efforts on this competition.
Wenger’s faith in Ospina is questionable
It was a nervy start for the Colombian whose first touch was a scuffed kick along the floor that nearly saw Bayern in on goal.
Despite making some eye-catching saves there's no way Arsenal's defence can be inspired when they look back and see Ospina rather than the more assured Petr Cech between the sticks.
While Wenger insists he has two world class keepers in his squad, it seems increasingly strange that he doesn't stick with his number one for Europe's biggest club competition.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should play more often
In this game and against Hull the young England international has shown he has more than enough quality to hold down a regular place in the Arsenal team.
Always a willing runner and always assured on the ball, Oxlade-Chamberlain offers a more direct approach than his teammates.
As well as setting up several chances going forward, the 23-year-old also acted as the first line of defence, constantly chasing down his opponents.
His biggest weakness has perhaps been summed up by these last two games - no one quite knows what his best position is.
Bayern’s ageing stars have still got it
Arjen Robben and Philipp Lahm provided a masterclass of wing and full-back play down the right flank - scoring one and creating another - while Xabi Alonso pulled the strings in midfield.
Those three may have a combined age of 101 years, but they proved they can still mix it with the best in Europe.
Bayern's biggest problem will be replacing them. Robben insists he's happy to go on for another few years but Lahm and Alonso will both be retiring at the end of the season. The end of an era beckons - but not quite yet.
Arsenal have problems at left-back
Neither Kieran Gibbs nor Nacho Monreal have managed to nail down a starting place for Arsenal over the past few years.
Gibbs got the nod against Bayern and had a torrid start against Arjen Robben and Philipp Lahm. Robben has been among the world's very best in that position in the past decade and Gibbs was simply no match.
If Arsenal want to mix it with the best in Europe, this is surely an area Arsene Wenger will need to strengthen in the summer.