Arsenal have been dealt a sobering reminder on their return to the top table of European football with their Champions League bid ended at the hands of Bayern Munich.
The Gunners had realistic ambitions of making the final four having held the German side to a 2-2 draw in the first leg a week ago, but suffered a tight 1-0 defeat in Bavaria with Joshua Kimmich heading the winner.
It has been another strong season for the Premier League title contenders under Mikel Arteta - they remain just two points adrift of the summit despite a surprise home defeat to Aston Villa last weekend.
However, their dream of a maiden Champions League trophy is set to last at least another year with ex-Bayern midfielder Owen Hargeaves indicating that they are missing one key component in their quest for glory.
🏁 FT: Bayern Munich 1-0 Arsenal (agg. 3-2)
The Gunners' Champions League aspirations come to a halt in Munich as a single Joshua Kimmich goal sends Bayern to the #UCL last four...
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/fLih27cYO9— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2024
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Owen Hargreaves identifies what Arsenal are missing
Speaking post match on TNT Sports, Hargreaves shared his admiration for what is a young Arsenal squad but lamented the absence of experienced personnel at their disposal. He also questioned the lack of a natural striker in the squad.
He said: "(It is) an incredibly young team and they are only going one direction and that is up. They are close to competing for big things - for the Premier League and the Champions League.
"But I think they need a little bit more experience in their side. Just some experienced players in those moments, like today and like in London when they played against Bayern.
"Even the (Aston) Villa game... another example is the second goal they concede. If you don't concede the second then maybe you can make it 1-1 and that is an amazing point.
"I think this Arsenal team is in a brilliant position. There is no shame in losing to Bayern Munich but even at the end of the game it feels like they need a different option - a bigger centre forward you can put in the box and maybe even nick a goal. It doesn't have to be pretty.
'Today we didn't see the best of Arsenal and I think that will be the only disappointing thing because they are so close.
"They need to take that final step. We have seen it with PSG - it is really hard in the Champions League - but they are getting close. They just need to do something in the summer just to add to that."
Arteta's side will swiftly turn their attention to their trip to Wolves on Saturday as they look to put their consecutive defeats behind them at Molineux.
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