TROSS THE PROCESS
Leandro saves Gunners after Kane penalty threatened to ruin big night
IT WAS never going to be easy as all that.
Not with Harry Kane back at the Emirates to haunt them and Bayern Munich’s European pedigree.
But at least Arsenal go into the second leg on level terms after Leandro Trossard saved their big night after a rollercoaster of emotions.
It was an eerily flat atmosphere at times as Bayern threatened to derail Arsenal’s glory charge and the ban on away fans – for letting off fireworks in two previous games – only made matters worse. But Trossard’s 76th-minute leveller saved Arsenal on a night when they looked like Champions League rookies at times, having not reached this stage in 14 years.
They were undone defensively and, having conceded just two goals in their previous ten games, they shipped two howlers in the space of 14 minutes as Bayern defied their dismal form to give the Gunners an almighty scare.
At least it was not a repeat of the 5-1 thrashings Arsenal suffered at the hands of Bayern in each of their last three meetings but Mikel Arteta’s (right) men just could not find the rhythm, tempo or momentum that has taken them to the top of the Premier League.
Of course Kane was at the heart of it as his goal from the penalty spot made it 15 goals in 20 appearances against the
Gunners.
No wonder he celebrated his moment in front of the Arsenal fans because the ex-tottenham striker was the toast of N17 again.
Arsenal made a dream start and were ahead after just 12 minutes. Kai Havertz won the ball, Ben White played the ball through to Saka and Bayern defender Eric Dier just stood off the Arsenal winger.
That allowed Saka to cut inside, get the ball onto his magic left foot and curl a sensational shot just inside the far post. That was reminiscent of his hero Thierry Henry on a big Champions League night.
Incredibly, it was Saka’s 18th goal in all competitions and he has managed eight goals or assists in eight Champions League games this season. If there was any debate
about him being world class, then it should be put to bed.
Soon after, Arsenal should have made it 2-0. This time, White went through but fired straight at Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer. What a chance wasted.
Bayern then profited from some very uncharacteristically poor Arsenal defending to haul themselves level.
Gunners defender Gabriel got himself in a terrible mess, there was a mix-up with keeper David Raya and a sloppy pass to Jakub Kiwior went astray.
Leon Goretzka played it through to Serge Gnabry and the ex-arsenal youngster smashed into the net off Raya’s foot.
The Emirates was already quiet because of the lack of away fans – and now you could hear a pin drop.
Bayern made it even worse after 32 minutes. Leroy Sane ran from deep, no one could get a challenge in on him until William Saliba then made a clumsy lunge (far left), upended the Bayern winger and referee Glenn Nyberg did not hesitate in giving a penalty.
It felt like slow torture for Arsenal. Up stepped Kane. He took his time, kept his nerve and rolled it into the bottom corner with Raya already committed the other way. Then the ex-spurs striker loved celebrating in front of the Arsenal fans. Kane was lucky only to get booked for an elbow on Gabriel and it all looked to be going wrong for Arsenal until Arteta rolled the dice and brought on Gabriel Jesus and Trossard.
The two substitutes combined after 76 minutes as Jesus held the ball up, played a lovely lay-off for Trossard to sweep home and put the Gunners back on level terms for the return leg.
Bayern nearly nicked it when Kingsley Coman hit the post and Arsenal had a late shout for a penalty but TV replays showed Saka had stuck out a hopeful leg.