Mueller Brace As Bayern Hammer Arsenal

Bayern Munich dismantled Arsenal 5-1 in Champions League Group F on Wednesday after a sensational first-half performance to close on the knockout stages with two matches left.
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The Bavarians struck three times in the first half through Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Mueller and David Alaba to avenge their 2-0 loss in London last month — their only defeat this season — and underline their title aspirations.
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Arjen Robben, making his first appearance in the competition this season after a long injury break, added a fourth soon after coming on in the 55th minute and Mueller grabbed a late fifth. Bayern top the group on nine points.
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“We did what we set out to do,” Mueller told reporters. “It was a key game because had we not won we would have to do more work in the next games. Now we are on nine points.”
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“We went ahead 3-0 and we were focused. In the second half we lost a bit of possession but that can happen if you are ahead 3-0 or 4-0.”
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Injury-hit Arsenal, woeful at the back and toothless up front, pulled a goal back through Olivier Giroud but are bottom on three points after their third loss. Olympiakos are second in the group, also on nine following their 2-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb who are third on three.
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Arsenal need to win their remaining games and hope for a combination of results to maintain their chances of reaching the last 16.
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“Bayern dominated as usual but they scored an early goal and that hurt us,” Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker said.
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“We had less courage than in the home game. Bayern were effective over the wings, they won the one-on-ones and we could not play out our game. Overall it was not enough.”