April 10 – Arsenal held Bayern Munich to a 2-2 draw in their Champions League quarter-final clash as they looked to overcome the haunting losses of the past.
Seeking revenge on Bayern Munich for humiliating back-to-back 5-1 defeats last time out in Europe’s premier club competition, the Gunners were able to withstand their bogey team to a hard-earned draw at the Emirates.
Bayern Munich looked to get back into form after virtually surrendering the Bundesliga title to Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, who could mathematically win the league as soon as this weekend thanks to a 16-point lead over the Bavarians.
Arsenal opened the scoring through Bukayo Saka in the 12th minute with a clean finish into the bottom left corner, capitalising on a period of early dominance for the Gunners.
Former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry levelled the scoring just six minutes later, taking advantage of a rare mix-up in Arsenal’s defence.
Harry Kane converted a penalty in the 32nd minute to continue his fondness of scoring against his former arch-rivals and take his goalscoring tally to 39 goals in 38 games in all competitions.
Entering into the second half, Gunners substitute Leandro Trossard levelled the tie heading to the reverse fixture in Munich on the April 17.
Late drama ensued as Bukayo Saka felt he was fouled by Bayern veteran Manuel Neuer in the last minute of the match. A tough decision, but the general consensus is that the referee made the correct call.
Bayern rightly felt they themselves deserved a penalty after a bizarre mix-up saw Arsenal defender Gabriel pick up the ball in the box after Raya played a short goal kick. Waved off as a ‘child’s mistake’ by the referee, Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel showed his frustration after the game.
“I think the referee did not have the courage today to give a deserved penalty,” the German said. “It was a crazy and awkward situation but he admitted on the pitch that he saw it and that the quarter final is not enough for him to govern a penalty for a ‘kids mistake’.
“He admitted that he knows about the mistake that the player made, so that’s a bit frustrating.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta suggested his side must learn from conceding two sloppy goals against Bayern Munich if they are to have a chance of making it through to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
“In the Champions League you cannot give anything to the opponent and we gave them two goals today,” he said.
“When you have this situation you are going to be punished. And that is the biggest lesson. The margins are very small in this competition and it is really difficult to create quality chances against this level of opposition.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1714377712labto1714377712ofdlr1714377712owedi1714377712sni@g1714377712niwe.1714377712yrrah1714377712