They will have to do it the hard way.
But, ultimately, it could have been a whole lot worse after a rollercoaster night at the Emirates. Supersub Leandro Trossard ended up saving Arsenal’s night and putting them on level terms ahead of next week’s second leg in the Allianz Arena.
And at least it was not a repeat of the 5-1 thrashings Arsenal had suffered at the hands of Bayern Munich in each of their three previous meetings. But you just knew that Harry Kane would score – and he duly did from the penalty spot – and make life difficult for Arsenal.
Bayern have endured a wretched season but this is their last shot at glory and they showed they have the pedigree and European experience to lift themselves for another tilt at European glory.
In contrast, Arsenal looked like Champions League rookies at times because, having only conceded two goals in their previous ten games, they made two elementary defensive mistakes in the space of 14 minutes in the first half.
The first was a howler by Arsenal defender Gabriel before Serge Gnabry scored and then William Saliba conceded a penalty with a clumsy challenge to allow Kane to score his 15th goal in 20 games against the Gunners.
No wonder Kane celebrated wildly in a stadium which was often eerily quiet and flat because of a ban on away fans for letting off fireworks in two previous ties. When Kane slotted home, you could hear a pin drop. The ex-Tottenham striker looked like he was going to have the last laugh but ended up rather lucky only to get a yellow card for an elbow on Gabriel.
But the truth was that Arsenal lacked the the rhythm, tempo and momentum that has taken them to the top of the Premier League.
They look like they are on work experience in the Champions League this season and it remains to be seen whether they can learn quickly enough to progress into their first semi final in 15 years.
It all started well enough for Arsenal as they were ahead after just 12 minutes. Kai Havertz won the ball, Ben White played the ball through to Bukayo Saka who cut inside and curled a sensational shot into the far corner for his 18th goal of the season.
Soon after, Arsenal should have made it 2-0 but White fired straight at Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer – and they were quickly made to pay. Gunners defender Gabriel got himself in a terrible mess, there was a mix-up with keeper David Raya and a sloppy pass to Jakub Kiwior went astray.
Leroy Sane did good work before Leon Goretzka played it through to Gnabry and the ex-Arsenal youngster smashed into the net off Raya’s foot.
Bayern made it even worse after 32 minutes. Sane ran from deep, no-one could get a challenge in on him until Saliba then made a clumsy lunge, upended the Bayern winger and referee Glenn Nyberg did not hesitate in giving a penalty.
It felt like slow torture for Arsenal. Up stepped Kane. He took his time, kept his nerve and rolled it into the bottom corner with Raya already committed the other way.
Arsenal were running out of time until Arteta rolled the dice and brought on Gabriel Jesus and Trossard. Jesus did brilliant work as he turned, fooled three defenders and laid it off for Trossard to sweep home.
Bayern substitute Kingsley Coman nearly nicked it but hit the post while Saka was lucky not to be booked as he tried to con a penalty out of Neuer but the ref was not fooled.
