Arsenal salvaged a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich, with Leandro Trossard’s late equaliser preventing Harry Kane from making a triumphant return to north London in Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg.
Trossard came off the bench to equalise in the dying minutes at the Emirates Stadium, after former Tottenham striker Kane put Bayern ahead 2-1 with a first-half penalty.
Fans in the 60,000-person sell-out audience were relieved to be able to concentrate on a thrilling match after Champions League security was tightened this week.
This week, an Islamic State-supporting media site released threats on venues hosting quarterfinals.
UEFA, the governing body of European football, stated that it was aware of the threats, but the games at Emirates Stadium and in Madrid, where Real drew with Manchester City, went on as scheduled.
Arsenal took an early lead through Bukayo Saka, but former Gunners winger Serge Gnabry brought Bayern back level.
Kane set a north London derby record with 14 goals against Arsenal during his tenure at Tottenham, making him an unavoidable target for Gunners fans’ taunting.
When Kane scored his sixth career goal at the Emirates — and 39th overall in his first season with Bayern — it appeared the England captain would have the last laugh.
However, Trossard’s spectacular intervention left the tie in a fragile balance heading into the second leg on April 17 in Munich.
Arsenal has been in outstanding form this season, while Bayern is on the verge of losing the German title for the first time in 12 years following a harsh domestic season.
However, Arsenal, playing in the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since 2010, was abnormally timid at times and will be relieved to have emerged with its dreams of a maiden European Cup intact.
On a knife edge.
Bayern made a cautious start, fitting their dismal form, as Alphonso Davies was promptly booked for a challenge on Saka, resulting in a second-leg suspension for the Canadian defender.
Mikel Arteta’s side seized the lead in the 12th minute, demonstrating the tenacity and poise that had prompted Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel to call them “the best team in the Premier League”.
Saka opened Arsenal’s heavy press by winning the ball deep in Bayern’s half before Ben White’s return pass found the England winger in the area.
Saka’s effort was precise, flying low past Manuel Neuer and into the far corner for his 18th goal in all competitions this season.
Tuchel’s side, however, capitalised on Arsenal’s rare moment of naivety to level six minutes later.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes recklessly gave up control, and Bayern capitalized with wonderfully weighted passes from Leroy Sane and Leon Goretzka, who deftly directed his effort past David Raya from 12 yards.
It was Arsenal’s first Champions League goal allowed at home this season, and Raya had to pull the ball out of his net again in the 32nd minute.
Leroy Sane’s spectacular run through the heart of Arsenal’s flat-footed defence was only cut short when William Saliba’s harsh challenge resulted in a penalty.
With boos booming throughout the Emirates, Kane kept his cool to send Raya the wrong way from the penalty spot before returning to the centre circle with a big grin on his face.
In a brilliant tactical move, Arteta brought on Trossard and Gabriel Jesus in the second half, rousing Arsenal from its slumber in time to score a 76th-minute equaliser.
Jesus was the catalyst, launching a great rush into the Bayern area that culminated in a perfect pass to Trossard, who placed a wonderful finish past Neuer.
Arsenal was unhappy that they were not awarded a penalty in the last seconds when Neuer caught Saka in a fitting end to a tie on a knife-edge.
