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| Leandro Trossard celebrates after drawing the Gunners level against Bayern Munich on Tuesday at the Emirates. It ended 2-2 and, the second leg awaits at the Allainz Arena next week. (Photo credit: Sky Sports) |
The Champions League is indeed a different ball game, and the Gunners were made to realise this harsh reality against Bayern Munich on Tuesday under the lights at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta restored Jacob Kiwior to left back, keeping Alex Zinchenko on the bench, but the Polish defender had a night to forget as he was directly responsible for the two goals the Gunners conceded on the night.
Bukayo Saka danced into the Bayern area in the 12th minute and curled one past Manuel Neuer for the opener, but David Raya was caught in no man’s land.
Gabriel Maghalaes didn’t have a choice but to hoof it in any direction; it appeared overweight for Kiwior, and Leon Gotezka took things from there.
A smooth passage of play in split seconds saw Serge Gnabry nick it home past Raya, and it was 1-1.
It went from bad to worse as another defensive error led to William Saliba hacking down Leroy Sane in the Arsenal area, and old nemesis Harry Kane stepped up to make it 2-1 from the spot.
The rest of the first half was even with the visitors making the Gunners sweat, and they could have gone out of sight if not for a sensational block from Ben White late in the half.
The teams went into the break with the visitors in front.
Arsenal made changes in the second half; Zinchenko came in for Kiwior, and the midfielder received some help from his inverted role.
Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard came in for Gabriel Martinelli, who was ineffective on the night, and Jorginho.
Arsenal got the leveller through a brilliant Gabriel Jesus assist, feeding Trossard, who fired past Neuer to make it two in two games.
Arsenal went in search of the winner, but the drama that followed wasn’t prepared for.
First, Bukayo Saka raced clear, dribbled Neuer, and was hacked down in the Bayern area.
The referee waved play to continue with the fans fuming; replays show the German goalkeeper stood his ground, but he left Saka with nowhere to go; it was an obstruction.
Moments later, the referee whistled for play to continue following a goalkick incident.
Raya passed to Gabriel Maghalaes, and the Brazilian defender picked up the ball with his hand.
Thomas Tuchel thinks it’s a clear penalty, but the referee wasn’t having it.
The game ended 2-2, with the Gunners off to Germany next week for the second leg.
It’s an advantage Bayern Munich, with their fans set to do their job at the Allianz Arena.