Arsenal and Bayern Munich settled for a dramatic 2-2 draw in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal started on a brighter note. A good pressing up the opponents’ half and a good spell of possession saw the Gunners hold a dominant control over proceedings.
Bayern Munich struggled to match the Gunners’ spirited press. Coming under intense pressure, they fell back, committing more bodies to the low block to check Arsenal offensives.
It was not long before the Gunners’ dominant sail finally yielded result. In the 12th minute, Bukayo Saka raced the home side in front. Odegaard had sent a clipped effort into the Bayern box. The pass found Saka but Alphonso Davies was equal to the task. He marked out Saka but lost control of the ball. Ben White picked it up and found Saka again.
The England international cut to his left and braved into the box before firing a superb finish into the far corner past Manuel Neuer.
After conceding the early goal, Bayern Munich improved their game. A series of improved attacking displays, and sustained pressure on the Arsenal backline saw the visitors nail home an equaliser just six minutes after Saka’s goal.
Gabriel Magalhaes dropped a clanger that led to the goal after being harried by Harry Kane. His pass was intercepted by Sane, who found Serge Gnabry in the box. Coming one-on-one against David Raya, the former Arsenal man volleyed a low shot past the goalie to make it 1-1.
Arsenal stepped up their game again after Bayern Munich’s equaliser. They enjoyed a good spell of possession and made frantic moves to return to the lead, all to no avail.
A minute before the half-hour, William Saliba clipped Leroy Sane to the ground inside Arsenal’s box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
Harry Kane made no mistake as he converted it with a perfect finish to send Bayern Munich into the lead against the run of play.
The goal was enough to send the Bavarians to the break with the lead.
Arsenal dominated proceedings in the second half as well but struggled to find an equaliser.
14 minutes before regulation time, the deadlock was finally broken as substitute Leandro Trossard scored with a first-time finish from Gabriel Jesus’ assist to draw the game level.
Arsenal nearly secured a chance to win the game when Bukayo Saka was brought down in the box by Manuel Neuer but the incident was waved off as a no-penalty.
The game ended 2-2 with both sides having a lot to play for going into the second leg at the Allianz Arena.
