Returning to the positioning of many Champions League disappointments, Arsenal will take to the Allianz Arena turf on Wednesday night time for the second leg of their quarterfinal conflict with Bayern Munich.
Last week’s match on the Emirates Stadium lived as much as expectations, however Mikel Arteta’s group was left ruing uncharacteristic errors in a 2-2 draw with the previous Bundesliga champions. Despite the absence of away followers, Bayern managed to safe a hard-fought draw.
Former Arsenal academy gamers Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane made their mark for Bayern Munich, with each gamers scoring towards their former membership. Bukayo Saka’s objective initially sparked hope for Arsenal, however Bayern’s superior particular person high quality ultimately proved decisive. Gnabry and Kane’s objectives, together with a late strike from Leandro Trossard, denied Arsenal an important victory.
The Bavarians narrowly escaped a tense second on the finish of the match when Manuel Neuer’s collision with Saka was not deemed a penalty, a lot to Arsenal’s dismay. The 2-2 draw on the Emirates Stadium is a good consequence for Bayern, even with out the away objectives rule.
Bayern Munich, who have been hoping to win the German top-flight title, managed to delay Bayer Leverkusen’s coronation by defeating Koln 2-0 on Saturday. However, Bayer Leverkusen’s complete 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen the next day ended Bayern’s 11-year reign of supremacy within the Bundesliga.
The elimination of home competitors might inject new power into Bayern, who now have solely the pursuit of European success left of their season. The group has a powerful report in Champions League knockout ties, advancing from 17 of their final 18 ties when avoiding defeat within the first leg. They have additionally been unbeaten of their final 14 dwelling matches within the Champions League.
However, Bayern’s solely elimination in that sequence got here towards English opposition within the 2018-19 season after they misplaced to Liverpool. Arsenal had an opportunity to capitalize on Liverpool’s slip-up towards Crystal Palace within the Premier League title race however failed to take action. After dominating the primary half towards Aston Villa, Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat, with objectives from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins securing the win for Villa and giving Unai Emery, Arsenal’s former supervisor, the final giggle towards his previous membership.
Some skeptical Arsenal followers have already resigned themselves to a different title disappointment as Mikel Arteta’s group trails Manchester City by two factors after their first Premier League defeat of 2024. The loss to Villa uncovered an absence of first-half management, resulting in their eventual defeat regardless of a powerful second-half exhibiting from Villa.
Arteta and his group can’t dwell on Sunday’s loss for too lengthy. Arsenal’s spectacular defensive report away from dwelling, conceding only one objective of their final six away matches and protecting clear sheets within the final three, supplies a supply of encouragement for the touring supporters.
However, reminiscences of previous humiliations on the Allianz Arena hang-out Arsenal as they return to Munich, having suffered successive 5-1 defeats to Bayern in 2015 and 2017. Out of their six away video games towards Bayern, Arsenal have solely received as soon as, a 2-0 victory in March 2013 that was finally inconsequential because of the abolished away objectives rule.
Bayern Munich faces their very own challenges, with accidents affecting key gamers like Alphonso Davies, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, and Kingsley Coman. While Manuel Neuer is anticipated to be match, the absence of a number of key gamers might pose a big problem for Bayern boss Tuchel.
Tuchel and Arteta can empathize with one another’s considerations relating to their attacking choices. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard couldn’t full the complete 90 minutes within the loss to Villa as a consequence of an unspecified problem, elevating considerations about his health for the second leg.
Jurrien Timber will certainly be absent as he continues his restoration from a devastating ACL harm. However, there’s hope that the Dutchman will make his long-awaited comeback in May. Arteta might think about adjustments within the full-back positions.
Following Oleksandr Zinchenko’s underwhelming efficiency towards Villa and Jakub Kiwior’s struggles towards Bayern’s dynamic wingers final week, Takehiro Tomiyasu may be chosen from the beginning this time round.
Source: www.dailysabah.com