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Arsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich: 3 talking points as Gunners stutter in quarter-finals
- Arsenal fought back from a 2-1 deficit to earn a share of the spoils in their quarter-final matchup against Bayern Munich
By Adam Schultz
Arsenal secured a 2-2 draw at the Emirates against Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final clash, leaving it all to play for in Bavaria in a week's time.
Arsenal being back in the upper echelon of Europe's premier club competition was a sight for sore eyes as Mikel Arteta's side welcomed a wounded Bayern Munich to the Emirates.
Bukayo Saka go things off to a perfect start, with his sublime curling effort sending the Emirates crowd into raptures just 12 minutes in. The Gunners were fully deserving of their early lead before Arsenal reverted back to what we used to witness all to often.
A host of errors began with David Raya which allowed the visitors to transition at lightning pace, and former Gunner Serge Gnabry slotted home the equalizer just six minutes after Saka opened the scoring. It was then an old Arsenal nemesis in Harry Kane who gave Bayern the lead from the spot. Leroy Sane was allowed to drive into the box, skipping past challenges before William Saliba fouled him in the box.
A spirited fightback in N5 - all to play for in Munich đź‘Š pic.twitter.com/jyLmiFMrD6
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 9, 2024
The second half saw no real threat from the Gunners until after Arteta's substitutions when Leandro Trossard equalized with 15 minutes remaining. Arsenal thought it had a decent penalty shout in injury time as Saka was brought down in the area, but it wasn't given.
Luckily away goals don't count anymore as the tie is still delicately poised at 2-2 with the second leg looming large next week.
The game provided plenty of talking points; here they are.
1. Sloppy errors cost Gunners
All season Arsenal has been steady in the face of pressure, but against Bayern, after taking the lead, the "old Arsenal" style of defending reared its ugly head. Munich had two shots, for two goals at one stage despite the Gunners dominating proceedings.
Ultimately I’ll take the draw. Think Arsenal were immature at 1-0. It’s a 180 minute tie and they got too excited. Need to lean more into the solid Arsenal we’ve seen this year and less into the over excited Arsenal we saw last year.
— Tim Stillman (@Stillmanator) April 9, 2024
Arteta's side have been so defensively sound all season and in perhaps the biggest moment of the season, showed their inexperience in such an important stage of the competition.
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