Arsenal secured a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday, thanks to Leandro Trossard’s second-half equalizer. Harry Kane continued his streak of scoring against his old rival.
In the 76th minute, Trossard calmly slotted in a low shot, ensuring Bayern didn’t leave the Emirates Stadium with another significant victory, after Kane had initially put the German club ahead with a penalty in the first half.
The hosts had seized a 12th-minute lead courtesy of Bukayo Saka and had dominated the early stages of the match until former Arsenal player Serge Gnabry capitalized on a defensive error by Gabriel to level the score at 1-1 in the 18th minute.
Kane then edged Bayern ahead from the penalty spot in the 25th minute, but Arsenal’s substitutes orchestrated the equalizer as Gabriel Jesus set up Trossard in the area.
In their previous encounter, Bayern decimated Arsenal 10-2 on aggregate with two 5-1 victories in the round of 16 in 2017. However, there was a palpable sense that this match would unfold differently. Arsenal currently tops the Premier League table, while Bayern is experiencing its worst Bundesliga season in over a decade, relinquishing the title race to Bayer Leverkusen.
Nevertheless, Kane, renowned for his prolific scoring in the north London derbies between Tottenham and Arsenal before joining Bayern this season, ensured his team returned to Germany with a slight advantage for the upcoming second leg at home next Wednesday.
In the 90th minute, Kingsley Coman came close to securing a winner for Bayern, but his flick-on from close range struck the post. Meanwhile, Saka saw his penalty appeal dismissed in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Despite reported threats from the Islamic State against Champions League matches this week, the game proceeded as scheduled. Fortunately, there were no incidents at the Emirates before or during the match.
