With England manager Roy Hodgson looking on, Walcott showed his class to tee-up Giroud to give Wenger's side the start their manager had demanded. But that will be of little consolation for Frenchman Wenger as the inquests begin into an eighth successive season without silverware. Wenger's celebrations were subdued, the Arsenal manager aware his side still had a mammoth task ahead of them if they were to turn the tie upside down.There were also concerns about the Gunners defensive record after one clean sheet in seven previous games against continental opposition.Yet goalkeeper Fabianski, starting his first senior game for 13 months, did well to keep out former Chelsea winger Robben in the 68th minute.With his side still requiring two goals and time running out, Wenger surprisingly withdrew Walcott and sent on Gervinho as part of a double substitution which also saw Aaron Ramsey come off and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sent on.
Gervinho went agonisingly close to doubling his side's lead after a clever shot-on-the-turn before Koscielny found the net in the 86th minute after heading home from a corner to give the Gunners hope. A fight for a place in the Premier League's top four can be Arsenal's only realistic target for the rest of the campaign after a fine effort which left fans wondering why they are unable to produce this level of performance on a more consistent basis. Giroud's only previous Champions League goal for the Gunners came in Germany in their 2-2 draw against Schalke in November.And the French forward stunned runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern after good work by Santi Cazorla allowed Walcott to deliver a low third-minute cross for Giroud to score from close range.
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