Arsenal secured a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich when Leandro Trossard scored a late goal to stop Harry Kane from making a triumphant return to north London in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Trossard came off the bench and scored a goal to make the game even in the closing stages at the Emirates Stadium after former Tottenham striker Kane put Bayern 2-1 ahead with a first-half penalty.
Fans in the 60,000 sell-out crowd were relieved to be able to focus on a thrilling match after security was increased at Champions League games this week.
A media outlet supporting the Islamic State group published threats against stadiums hosting quarter-finals this week.
UEFA, the governing body for European football, confirmed it was aware of the threats, but the matches at the Emirates Stadium and in Madrid — where Real drew with Manchester City — both went ahead as planned.
Arsenal had an early lead through Bukayo Saka before former Gunners winger Serge Gnabry brought Bayern back to level terms.
Kane scored a north London derby record 14 goals against Arsenal during his time with Tottenham, making him an inevitable target for taunts from Gunners fans.
When Kane scored his sixth career goal at the Emirates — and his 39th in all competitions in his first season with Bayern — it seemed the England captain would have the last laugh.
But Trossard’s dramatic intervention leaves the tie delicately balanced ahead of the second leg in Munich on April 17.
Premier League leaders Arsenal have been in excellent form this season, while Bayern are on the verge of surrendering the German title for the first time in 12 years after a tough domestic campaign.
But, playing in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, Arsenal looked unusually hesitant at times and will be relieved to have emerged with their hopes of a first European Cup still intact.
Reflecting their poor form, Bayern made a nervy start and Alphonso Davies was quickly booked for a challenge on Saka that led to a suspension for the Canadian defender in the second leg.
Mikel Arteta's team took the lead in the 12th minute, showing the intensity and calmness that had led Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel to describe them as “the best team in the Premier League”.
Saka initiated Arsenal’s high press, winning the ball deep in Bayern’s half before Ben White’s return pass found the England winger in the area.
Saka’s goal was precise, flashing low past Manuel Neuer into the far corner for his 18th goal in all competitions this season.
But Tuchel’s side exploited a rare moment of inexperience from Arsenal to draw level six minutes later.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes carelessly lost possession and Bayern seized the opportunity as perfectly executed passes from Leroy Sane and Leon Goretzka found Gnabry, who skillfully guided his shot past David Raya from 12 yards.
This was the first time Arsenal had conceded at home in the Champions League this season, and Raya had to retrieve the ball from his net again in the 32nd minute.
Leroy Sane’s dazzling run through the heart of the static Arsenal defense was only stopped when William Saliba’s rough challenge resulted in a penalty.
With boos surrounding the Emirates, Kane kept his calm to send Raya in the wrong direction from the penalty spot before flashing a wide smile at the Arsenal keeper on his way back to the center circle.
In a clever tactical change, Arteta brought on Trossard and Gabriel Jesus in the second half, lifting Arsenal out of their sluggishness in time to grab a 76th-minute equalizer.
Jesus was the driving force with an excellent run into the Bayern area that ended with an accurate pass to Trossard, who joyfully scored a great goal past Neuer.
Arsenal were very angry not to be awarded a penalty in the final moments when Neuer caught Saka in a fitting conclusion for a closely contested match.
AFP
