Vermaelen struggles to pinpoint Arsenal failings after exit

Thomas Vermaelen felt that all Arsenal were missing was a “little bit of luck” after being knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.

The Gunners’ 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena was not enough to overturn their 2-0 first-leg deficit as the Bundesliga side triumphed over the Gunners for the second season running at the last-16 stage.

It is difficult to say what exactly the problem is

Thomas Vermaelen

And captain Vermaelen, who was deployed at left-back on Tuesday due to the absence of Kieran Gibbs, was at a loss to pinpoint the exact reasons behind their European exit.

“It is difficult to say what we need to improve,” Vermaelen told Arsenal’s website. “You need a little bit of luck as well. In the first game, we played really well and put them under pressure in the first 15 minutes.

“We missed a penalty and got a red card and then you know it is going to be difficult. We need a little bit of luck because when you play in the Champions League you know it is not going to be easy. I feel that we can compete with them.

“It is difficult to say what exactly the problem is. We are not always lucky with the draws after the group stage.

“We always get a difficult team but you need a little bit of luck as well because it is a tournament where anything can happen.”