Paul Merson slams Arsenal star for 'falling asleep' in Bayern Munich win

Arsenal sealed a massive Champions League victory against German giants Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening, but one Gunner did not manage to avoid criticism after the game

Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly faced criticism for 'falling asleep' during the Gunners' victory over Bayern Munich.

The north London outfit consolidated their position at the summit of the Champions League table following a commanding 3-1 triumph against the Bavarian powerhouse at the Emirates Stadium.

Jurrien Timber provided Mikel Arteta's men with an ideal beginning, before Noni Madueke and Leandro Trossard found the net after the interval. The sole blemish on Arsenal's performance came through Lennart Karl's exceptional leveller.

Despite the teenager's superb strike, ex-Arsenal favourite Paul Merson suggested that academy product Lewis-Skelly bore responsibility for a defensive lapse.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he remarked: "Lewis-Skelly falls asleep. It's a diagonal ball over to Gnabry but he falls asleep Lewis-Skelly, it goes over his head.

"But what a goal, honestly! It goes over the top of Lewis-Skelly, Gnabry made a great run and he just plays a volley across the goal and there's Karl who comes running in and smashes it in the net.

"It's a phenomenal goal, a brilliant goal. Karl scores out of nothing. That's what they've scored in their last 775 games!"

Whilst Lewis-Skelly found himself criticised by Merson, former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves adopted a more forgiving stance. He argued that Harry Kane's involvement created greater problems for William Saliba elsewhere.

He said: "You can can talk about Lennart Karl, and he is exceptional, but look at Harry Kane, he's the one causing chaos. He drops a little bit deeper, Gnabry gets wide and it's a brilliant first-time pass and set.

"But look where Harry Kane is there... it gives William Saliba something to think about. He's thinking, 'Do I go in there?', but, actually, if he'd stayed in his position he'd probably have stopped the cross.

"Credit to Gnabry for the cross, it's amazing, and the finish from young Karl is brilliant. But Harry dropping deep has caused chaos."

Lewis-Skelly, who was only making his fifth appearance from the start this campaign against Bayern, was substituted for Italian centre-back Riccardo Calafiori, who subsequently played a crucial part in setting up Madueke's strike.

Following the final whistle, Gunners manager Arteta heaped praise on Calafiori for his impact off the bench. He said: "That's exactly what I told him! Get the ball, go to the flank, cross the ball between the side of the keeper and score a goal.

"I like it because he has such an attitude and aura. He comes in to make things happen and he's always so positive the way he plays. It's great that players come with that mindset."