Bayern Munich 5 1 Arsenal 2017

Bayern Munich crush Arsenal 5-1 in Champions League first leg

Arjen Robben and Thiago Alcantara star as holders run riot at Emirates

Arsenal face uphill battle to reach last eight after humbling defeat

Bayern Munich took a huge step towards the Champions League quarter-finals with a stunning 5-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday.

Arjen Robben, who came off the bench to score with his first touch, and Thiago Alcantara, who netted twice, were the stars of the show as the holders ran riot in north London.

Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski also got on the scoresheet for Bayern, who were ruthless in front of goal and dominant in possession.

Arsenal, who had Laurent Koscielny sent off in the second half, face a mountain to climb in the second leg in Munich on March 7.

The Gunners have never overturned a first-leg deficit of more than one goal in the Champions League and they will need to produce a special performance to keep their hopes of reaching the last eight alive.