Arsenal level at half-time in do-or-die Champions League quarter-final against Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich – as they look to reach the last four cheered on by their WAGs
Arsenal play out a 0-0 half-time draw in the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich in Germany.
Mikel Arteta’s side have had several chances to get ahead, with Gabriel Martinelli squandering a close-range chance, but Bayern have grown into the game.
Arsenal want to reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2009 and will have to do so by overcoming a hoodoo against the German giants.
The London club have traveled to Germany in search of the golden ticket after drawing 2-2 in the first leg at the Emirates last week.
The Arsenal stars were accompanied on the trip by their wives and girlfriends. Leandro Trossard’s wife Laura shared a photo of her, Kai Havertz’s fiancée Sophia Weber, Martin Odegaard’s partner Helen Spilling and Ben White’s wife Milly dressed in their Arsenal kits ahead of the match.
They were greeted by a pulsating atmosphere in Munich, with torches, flags and drums fueling an imposing energy from the home fans.
Arsenal wants to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League against Bayern Munich
Such scenes could bring back sour memories for Arsenal fans, who were dumped from Europe after heavy defeats to Bayern in the final years of Arsene Wenger’s reign.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were in the starting line-up in welcome news for Arsenal fans.
The star pair were left with possible injury doubts after Saka limped off during the 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa, while Odegaard had to come off the pitch.
Takehiro Tomiyasu also got the nod at left back, ahead of Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Jorginho returns to midfield after being benched on Sunday, while Gabriel Martinelli is on the left wing.
If Arsenal get past Bayern in Germany tonight, they will reach the last four of Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 2008/09.
They have made great strides under manager Mikel Arteta, who used to play for the club.
Last season they finished second in the Premier League and are currently placed there this season.
The club has never won the Champions League and if Arteta led them to such glory he would be immortalized.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard both started the match despite concerns about their fitness
Mikel Arteta aims to lead Arsenal to their first Champions League semi-final since 2009
Bayern Munich fans brought a pulsating atmosphere to the Allianz Arena, which has seen many glories over the years
Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel wants to reach the semi-finals with a third team, after previously doing so with Paris St-Germain and Chelsea.
The only manager to do this with more than three teams is Jose Mourinho at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
More to follow.
