Contrasting fortunes for Arsenal and Bayern as they prepare for Champions League showdown

In a season of brilliance from Bayern Munich and considerable anguish for Arsenal, Champions League success has taken on differing levels as they prepare to meet in the last 16.

Europe is now Arsenal's last route to ending a trophy drought stretching back to 2005 after its FA Cup hopes were ended Saturday by second-tier club Blackburn.

In the Premier League, Arsenal is fifth, 21 points behind leader Manchester United and four points behind the fourth spot to qualify for the Champions League for the 16th straight season.

By contrast, Bayern has spent the past weeks bolstering its domestic dominance, moving 15 points clear in the Bundesliga.

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