Beaten Wenger accepts Bayern ‘outclassed’ Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reacts during their Champions League match against Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium in London on Tuesday (February 19 2013). Picture: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

London – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted his side had been outclassed in their 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich and said it seemed “impossible” to turn the Champions League last 16 tie around.

Eliminated from both domestic cup competitions and 21 points off the pace in the Premier League, Arsenal know the Champions League represents their only chance of picking up a first piece of silverware since 2005.

However, with Bayern in form that has seen them assemble a 15-point lead in the Bundesliga, it always seemed likely to prove a forlorn hope, and so it proved on a chastening Tuesday evening at the Emirates Stadium.

“Let’s not hide the truth: it will be very difficult and we will try to make the impossible possible,” Wenger told ITV.

“We will try to play like we do at home and try to change the score. The third goal makes it very difficult, but we will try.”

Goals from Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller put the visitors 2-0 up by the 21st minute and although Lukas Podolski replied early in the second period, Mario Mandzukic galvanised Bayern’s grip on the tie with 13 minutes to play.

Wenger admitted that his team had been “a bit nervous”, but said there was no shame in losing to a team who have reached the Champions League final in two of the previous three seasons.

“You have to give them credit for their class,” he said. “In patches in the first half, Bayern’s play was of a different quality to ours.

“In the second half we were getting close and becoming dangerous, but then they changed and began to play more defensively, so it was difficult to create chances.”

He added: “In these moments, you have to insist very hard and try to persuade the players that success will come through our play.

“I still have confidence in my players and my team. Results like tonight show there’s work to do.”

At the final whistle, Wenger disappeared down the tunnel without shaking hands with his opposite number, Jupp Heynckes, but the Bayern manager played down the incident.

“I haven’t met him (Wenger) yet, but we met before the game and we know each other very well,” he said.

“I’ve known him for many, many years and we have a very good relationship.”

- Sapa-AFP