For the second consecutive season, not only have Arsenal have to earn their spot in the Champions League through a two-legged playoff, but also have had to deal with German opposition.
In an exact repeat of last season, the Gunners had to face off against Jurgen Klopp and Borussia Dortmund and just like the first match between these two sides, Arsene Wenger's men ended up on the losing end.
Goals from new signing Ciro Immobile and the speedy Pierre Emerick Aubameyang were enough to send them slinking back to London with their heads hung in shame, and new signing Danny Welbeck as well as captain Mikel Arteta and others were targeted for their dismal showing.
Have a look at some of the fans and media reactions below:
It's not just Arsenal's defence that's getting picked apart tonight! #Wahay pic.twitter.com/2v96RzgUnD
— Betfair (@Betfair) September 16, 2014
Defeat for Arsenal tonight means they're still on track for getting knocked out in the last 16 by Bayern/Barca/someone else.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) September 16, 2014
Arteta and Mertesacker tracking back for Dortmund's second goal... pic.twitter.com/8OjMMsVKvx
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) September 16, 2014
Tight game... pic.twitter.com/4eu55ZxhlV
— The SPORT Bible (@TSBible) September 16, 2014
I've just had a look at the Dortmund-Arsenal lineups and Mesut Ozil was playing.
— Jerome Pugmire (@jeromepugmire) September 16, 2014
Puma introduce the new Mikel Arteta range....... pic.twitter.com/mU3L6pT3pH
— Taffy is a Gooner!! (@jasondavies71) September 16, 2014
Arsenal....Always 4th pic.twitter.com/0JpZJQXZ1q
— GeniusFootball (@GeniusFootball) September 16, 2014
A shell-shocked Wenger gave his take on his team's poor performance:
"We had a disappointing performance and the victory is normal. Still the paradox of the night is we had very good chances to to score first that didn't go for us and went for them...[but all in all] it's very difficult to go into any individual assessment of any players because as a team we were not at the requested level."
Well, there's plenty of food for thought for the long-serving Gunners boss...
And here's Lord Welbeck showing why Manchester United was happy to see him go!
Danny Welbeck has now hit 6 of his 8 shots off target (75%) for Arsenal in his first two games for the club. pic.twitter.com/ib3GXWvzh8
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 16, 2014