Arsenal rescued a 2-2 draw in opposition to Bayern Munich as Leandro Trossard’s late leveller stopped Harry Kane making a triumphant return to north London in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Trossard got here off the bench to equalise within the closing phases on the Emirates Stadium after former Tottenham striker Kane put Bayern 2-1 forward with a first-half penalty.
Followers within the 60,000 sell-out crowd had been relieved to have the ability to deal with a pulsating conflict after safety was elevated at Champions League video games this week.
A media outlet supporting the Islamic State group printed threats in opposition to stadiums internet hosting quarter-finals this week.
UEFA, European soccer’s governing physique, confirmed it was conscious of the threats however the ties on the Emirates Stadium and in Madrid — the place Actual drew with Manchester Metropolis — each went forward as deliberate.
Arsenal had taken an early lead via Bukayo Saka earlier than former Gunners winger Serge Gnabry put Bayern again on stage phrases.
Kane scored a north London derby file 14 targets in opposition to Arsenal throughout his time with Tottenham, making him an inevitable goal for taunts for Gunners followers.
When Kane bagged his sixth profession aim on the Emirates — and his thirty ninth in all competitions in his first season with Bayern — it appeared the England captain would have the final chortle.
However Trossard’s dramatic intervention leaves the tie delicately poised forward of the second leg in Munich on April 17.
Premier League leaders Arsenal have been in very good type this season, whereas Bayern are on the point of surrendering the German title for the primary time in 12 years after a brutal home marketing campaign.
However, enjoying within the Champions League quarter-finals for the primary time since 2010, Arsenal regarded unusually hesitant at instances and shall be relieved to have emerged with their hopes of a primary European Cup nonetheless intact.
Befitting their poor type, Bayern made a nervous begin and Alphonso Davies was shortly booked for a problem on Saka that triggered a second-leg suspension for the Canadian defender.
Mikel Arteta’s males took the lead within the twelfth minute, displaying the depth and poise that had led Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel to label them “one of the best workforce within the Premier League”.
Saka began Arsenal’s excessive press, profitable the ball deep in Bayern’s half earlier than Ben White’s return cross picked out the England winger within the space.
Saka’s strike was unerring, flashing low previous Manuel Neuer into the far nook for his 18th aim in all competitions this time period.
However Tuchel’s facet uncovered a uncommon second of naivety from Arsenal to attract stage six minutes later.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes carelessly surrendered possession and Bayern pounced as completely weighted passes from Leroy Sane and Leon Goretzka picked out Gnabry, who deftly guided his shot previous David Raya from 12 yards.
It was the primary time Arsenal had conceded at dwelling within the Champions League this season, and Raya needed to choose the ball out of his web once more within the thirty second minute.
Leroy Sane’s dazzling burst via the guts of the flat-footed Arsenal defence was solely halted when William Saliba’s crude problem conceded a penalty.
With boos ringing across the Emirates, Kane stored his composure to ship Raya the improper approach from the spot earlier than aiming a broad grin on the Arsenal keeper on his approach again to the centre-circle.
In an impressed tactical change, Arteta despatched on Trossard and Gabriel Jesus within the second half, lifting Arsenal out of their lethargy in time to grab a 76th-minute equaliser.
Jesus was the catalyst with an excellent surge into the Bayern space that ended with a pin-point cross to Trossard, who gleefully slotted a positive end previous Neuer.
Arsenal had been livid to not be given a penalty within the last seconds when Neuer caught Saka in a becoming denouement for a tie on a knife-edge.
AFP
