Late Toure goal gives Gunners hope after Bayern siege

ARSENAL were left with a Champions League mountain to climb after serious defensive blunders in their last-16 first-leg tie at Bayern Munich.

Kolo Toure's mistake allowed Claudio Pizarro to strike from close-range after just four minutes and the Peruvian striker was again left unmarked to head in from Mehmet Scholl's free-kick on 58 minutes.

Jens Lehmann was exposed as Hasan Salihamidzic inflicted Bayern's third blow on 65 minutes, but Toure gave Arsenal hope with a late goal.

The Gunners, without Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell or Dennis Bergkamp, did not trouble Lehmann's international rival Oliver Kahn once in the opening 45 minutes.

The absences of Campbell and Cole were significant setbacks, though while Arsenal again fielded a non-English line-up, there were only two Germans in Bayern's side. One of these, Oliver Kahn, was renewing his rivalry with Arsenal's own German international keeper Jens Lehmann.

Lehmann, who was ritually booed by the Bayern fans, was called into action almost immediately as he tipped Bixente Lizarazu's cross-shot around the near post. However, he was beaten with just three minutes gone as Arsenal's defensive inadequacies returned to haunt them.

Toure was under little obvious pressure when Kahn's long clearance reached him but he inexplicably headed the ball into the air and Claudio Pizarro finished with an excellent first-time volley.

Wenger's side, with Freddie Ljungberg playing in behind Thierry Henry, were initially relying on Jose Antonio Reyes to provide their creativity from the left flank.

However, one through-ball by the Spaniard to Henry was just cut out, while Henry's flick led to a weak header by Ljungberg straight.

Arsenal needed to show considerable character and, with Edu's influence growing in midfield, they at least started to control more possession. Vieira was then booked for dissent after complaining to referee Kim Milton Nielsen after a half-hour that Willy Sagnol had dived after being challenged by Reyes.

Arsenal were also forced into a change when Edu's hamstring problems returned and Mathieu Flamini replaced him 10 minutes before half-time. Still, they struggled to make any impression up front, with Henry making little impression.

And it was only when Clichy's long-range effort received a wicked deflection that Kahn even looked in trouble, although the ball ran inches wide for a corner.

After a relatively lifeless first half, the Bayern fans amused themselves during the half-time with a full-scale snowball battle in the stands.

There was at least rather more action on the pitch after the restart as Arsenal roused themselves into action. Reyes effort hit the side netting, while Ljungberg shot straight at Kahn, but it was still Lehmann who had to produce a superb reaction save to deny Roy Makaay from close range.

Cygan failed to cut out Ze Roberto's deep cross, but Lehmann clawed Makaay's shot around the post, with Hasan Salihamidzic flicking the ensuing corner just wide.

Bayern coach Felix Magath made a tactical switch in the 57th minute with Scholl replacing Ze Roberto and the veteran Germany international instantly delivered the free-kick from which Pizarro put Bayern 2-0 ahead.

Once again Arsenal's marking was abysmal, with Toure so late in closing the striker down he actually managed to deflect the ball past Lehmann.

If that seemed bad enough, worse was to follow as Arsenal were exposed for a third time with 64 minutes gone.

This time, Lehmann was caught out of position as he could not reach Torsten Frings' deep cross and Salihamidzic was left unmarked to volley home unsurprising on a night of defensive confusion.

Arsenal had still not learned. Frings was the next to be left in acres of space with only Lehmann to beat but this time he fired his shot into the side-netting.

Lauren was fortunate to escape with a yellow card for a two-footed lunge on Lizarazu, while Wenger brought on Cole with eight minutes left and the need for an away goal having reached desperation point.

With just two minutes left there was finally hope as Vieira's volley struck the crossbar from point-blank range and Toure managed to bury the rebound.

Moments later, Henry looked to have been brought down by Kahn inside the penalty area but the flag had been raised for offside.

BAYERN MUNICH: Kahn, Sagnol, Kovac, Lucio, Lizarazu, Demichelis, Salihamidzic, Frings, Ze Roberto, Makaay, Pizarro.

ARSENAL: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Cygan, Clichy, Ljungberg, Vieira, Edu, Pires, Reyes, Henry. Subs: Almunia, Cole, Van Persie, Fabregas, Flamini, Senderos, Larsson.

Referee: Kim Milton Nielsen (Denmark).