- Arsenal’s spirited performance against Bayern Munich revives long-dormant hopes
- Saka’s goal countered Bayern’s lead, keeping Arsenal’s aspirations alive
- Despite defensive lapses, Arsenal stands resilient against Bayern Munich
Arsenal had waited seven years to demonstrate they were on par with Bayern Munich, and they did so with a scintillating performance last night that has left this quarterfinal tensely poised. This second-half comeback was even more remarkable, considering they had previously relinquished an early lead and, for a moment, recalled the 5-1 defeats they had inflicted in their previous three meetings.
Bukayo Saka’s goal was reversed by a penalty kick by Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry. Still, Mikel Arteta’s squad displayed grit to prevent a recurrence against previously ineffective opponents who had performed admirably. They were rewarded fourteen minutes after the substitute Leandro Trossard was equalised with a magnificent piece of execution. At least for the following week, it put to rest the speculation regarding which Bayern lineup would be in attendance for this matchup.
Arteta recalled observing their recurring champions and sensing the confidence that emanated from them whenever Arsenal prepared themselves for what appeared to be an annual humiliation in the mid-2010s. Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, and three of Bayern’s substitutes constituted the only contemporary artefacts on display; perhaps the vision of Kane preparing for kick-off was a more pertinent reminder for Arsenal’s current squad.
Arteta was aware that, notwithstanding the commotion surrounding Bayern’s tribulations, Arsenal were confronted with adversaries possessing the muscle memory and historical expertise of champions. As a result of the prohibition on away supporters, he had urged the crowd to be a “wind” at their backs; their response was astounding; this marked Arsenal’s return to the elite, and its significance hung thick in the air.
Twelve minutes later, the fizz transformed into an eruption. Gabriel Martinelli’s narrow missed attempt following Saka’s nipping past Alphonso Davies for Arsenal gave Arsenal advance notice that they might surpass Bayern in intensity; their persistent running soon yielded fruit. Davies partially thwarted Saka’s right-wing surge, but Kai Havertz was more astute than Gnabry in locating the loose ball, allowing Ben White to complete a deft 10-yard pass into the box. The recipient, Saka, merely let the ball pass across him before executing an irresistible low shot to Neuer’s right.
Davies had already been booked for a foul on Saka that disqualified him from the second leg, and his companions had both endured a dreadful start. Havertz intercepted an errant Gnabry header within four minutes of the game’s opening stroke and assisted a marauding White. A forward would have undoubtedly scored; however, White allowed Neuer to deflect the ball, and despite Bayern’s lamentable defensive woes this season, the error proved crucial.
This is because, despite their imperfections, Bayern always have a goal in them. Arsenal’s only remorse was that the game felt so shoddy. Gabriel Magalhães, who was not under duress while accumulating possession within his half, attempted to direct a pass vaguely towards Jakub Kiwior after being startled by David Raya’s decision to advance 45 yards from goal. Leroy Sané responded by relocating to Leon Goretzka; the midfielder subsequently performed in a spirited Gnabry for a shrewd conclusion against his former employers.
Contrary to all expectations, the score was tied at two minutes and thirty seconds, and Arsenal could lament a defensive naiveté that had materialised out of nowhere. Sané was permitted to sneak into their area, and William Saliba awkwardly intervened after Jorginho missed a challenge and Gabriel withdrew from one. Kane was destined to take penalty kicks and maintained his composure in the face of sixty thousand jeers.
The moment Sané streaked clear into an empty Arsenal half almost immediately, the scene was momentarily reminiscent of past humiliations. White made a late recovery to preserve the match and, at that moment, potentially secure a tie.
It was no surprise when Oleksandr Zinchenko replaced Kiwior, who had laboured at left-back, in the second half. Arsenal had the task of finding a middle ground between regaining their previous vitality and preventing additional harm. Bayern, on the other hand, began to comprehend the situation; they grew more content to niggle, and Kane went too far with the notion when he elbowed Gabriel. The sanction was more grievous than a booking.
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In the 57th minute, Goretzka erred anticlimactically wide, and as the hour ticked on, a Bayern goal appeared marginally more probable despite Arsenal’s dire situation. Recognising that his side had become disoriented and sensing a decline in energy in the vicinity, Arteta pleaded with his audience to increase the intensity once more. However, Bayern demonstrated their renewed determination when Eric Dier, whom the crowd had earlier ridiculed, charged in to tackle Martinelli cleanly, and they came close once more with Sané’s narrow-angle shot that went over.
After Arsenal had fallen behind, Trossard and Gabriel Jesus emerged to inspire the team with concepts it needed to include. Jesus, who tricked into the area and outwitted Matthijs de Ligt, set up his teammate for a clean first-time finish in less than ten minutes. Kingsley Coman hit a post in the dying moments, and Saka’s penalty appeal was disregarded; the match remains tied.
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