Pep Guardiola: 'Red card changed the game'

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has claimed that Wojciech Szczesny's red card made it "another game" as his side beat Arsenal 2-0 on Wednesday night.

Szczesny was dismissed when the scores were level and despite seeing David Alaba miss the penalty which followed, the defending champions were able to find two vital away goals on their way to victory in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie.

Guardiola believes that the goalkeeper was correctly sent off but admits that his side found it difficult to break down the 10 Arsenal players that remained on the pitch.

"Arsenal were much much much better than us for the first 20 minutes," the Spaniard told Sky Sports News. "After the red card for their goalkeeper it was another game.

"When he is the last man then the referee says penalty and red card.

"It is difficult to play when you see nine players in the box. It is not easy, never. But importantly we controlled this situation and played with patience and at the end found the goal."

Bayern will host the Gunners in the second leg on March 11.