sport news Bayern Munich showed their street-smarts against Arsenal and have piled the ... trends now
The memories of toil and falling short take time to be erased.
Arsenal under Mikel Arteta have been superb of late. Top of the Premier League table and battling in the Champions League quarter-finals, feats even the most ardent Gooner will not have fathomed say two years ago. The north London club finished fifth in the league in May 2022, for instance.
That was before two consecutive eighth-placed league finishes. And then last season, although utterly dominant for months, the Gunners were tripped up by Manchester City for the league title at the finishing line.
It is why, last night against Bayern Munich, when Gabriel’s errant pass which led to Serge Gnabry’s goal, and Leroy Sane’s mesmerising run to earn Harry Kane his penalty kick, brought back thoughts of not being good enough when it matters most.
Thoughts that Arsenal still have an error in them and will find a way to shoot themselves in the foot when the pressure rises at its most high.
Mikel Arteta's side have been superb of late but came unstuck against Bayern Munich
After an early goal from Bukayo Saka Harry Kane completed the turnaround as Bayern led 2-1 by half-time
Leandro Trossard rescued a draw for the hosts late in the game to ensure parity in the return leg
But therein lies where this team under Arteta are different to 12 months ago.
They found a way back. It was two substitutes, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard, who combined to level the score at 2-2 and leave everything to play for at the Allianz Arena next Wednesday.
Arteta mentioned this resilience when addressing the media.
‘I think the team showed a lot of composure, especially after 2-1,’ he said.
‘You can throw your toys away and generate a lot of spaces for the opponent and lose the tie in 20 minutes. We haven’t done that.’
He’s correct. Arsenal should still be feared for the second leg. Yes, there are the if, buts and maybes of the ramifications of Ben White failing to strike past Manuel Neuer after 16 minutes — he should have scored to put the Gunners 2-0 up — yet there is currency in earning a draw. Particularly with no away goal rule, which was scrapped in 2021.
Arsenal also have a
