Much like last season, Arsenal bowed out of the Champions League with their pride well and truly in tact after a magnificent 2-0 win the Allianz Arena wasn't quite enough for the Gunners as the favourites Bayern Munich headed through on away goals with a 3-3 aggregate score.
Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla combined well in midfield, eventually playing it out to Theo Walcott who fired across the 6 yard box for Olivier Giroud to slam home and give the travelling fans hope of something truly special.
The goal seemed to wake up the hosts as they were far more cautious in their play for the subsequent few minutes, not allowing Arsenal to gain a foothold or any further initiative in the match. Tomas Rosicky's passing radar was a little off, but his fantastic work rate was being matched by his fellow midfielders and Bayern's bluntness was reflected by a muted home crowd.
Lukasz Fabianski may have been a cause for concern among Arsenal fans but he dealt well with Bayern's first effort of note as he held on to Toni Kroos' fierce effort from the edge of the penalty area.
The Pole in the goal also had little bother with an Arjen Robben strike from a similar distance, and shortly afterwards the Dutchman looked to cause more danger on the counter attack but his mazy run was fantastically snuffed out by Carl Jenkinson.
Arsenal weren't causing Bayern any problems as the first half drew to a close but would have been encouraged by the boos that greeted the home side from their fans, a sure sign that Arsenal's resilience and goal was enough to create some nerves.
Not much changed in the second half as Arsenal continued to frustrate Bayern with their back four showing organisation not often seen since the days of the mythical 'Steve Bould Effect' back in August and September. Laurent Koscielny in particular was proving a more than capable replacement for skipper Thomas Vermaelen.
It took something truly special for Bayern to fashion a clear cut chance as an outrageous flick from Thomas Mueller put Robben through only for the winger to see his shot well saved by Fabianski after a terrific recovery challenge from Jenkinson.
Both sides made changes around the 70 minute mark as Ramsey and, surprisingly Walcott, made way for Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain whilst Mario Gomez replaced Mario Mandzukic for Bayern.
Arsenal's much maligned Ivorian almost produced a second goal on 78 minutes with a sumptuous touch and turn but he could only prod the ball across the 6 yard box with Giroud and Jenkinson failing to take the gamble that could have seen them knock Arsenal within a goal of the next round.
Fabianski was forced into another fine save from Mueller as the game entered the final 10 minutes, but despite looking blunt in attack for much of the night Arsenal did manage to strike again as Koscielny headed in a Cazorla corner with 5 minutes left.
The hosts were stunned and incredibly nervous but their experience just about saw them through the final 5 minutes despite a valiant effort from the Gunners. Just 3 minutes were added and they were dominated by Bayern wining cheap free kicks and stopping the game, and the time ebbed away to see them qualify on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw.
Despite going out there were a whole host of positives for Arsene Wenger as his side produced something truly remarkable to win 2-0 in the Allianz Arena, with the performances of his second choice goalkeeper and much changed back four giving him plenty of selection headaches for the Premier League run-in.
Bayern progress to the quarter-final thanks a wonderful first leg performance that mustn't be forgotten, but it's arguably the Gunners who left the Allianz with the pride and maybe the confidence to finish their domestic campaign with the flourish they need if they want to appear on the greatest European stages again next season.
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