Trossard rescues Arsenal in Bayern draw as Man City, Madrid share spoils in six goal epic

10th April 2024

Madrid and Man City produced a six goal thriller at the Bernabeu.

PHOTO| AFP
PHOTO| AFP
SUMMARY
  • Arsenal had taken an early lead through Bukayo Saka before former Gunners winger Serge Gnabry put Bayern back on level terms.
  • Bayern then took the lead when Kane extended his goalscoring record against Arsenal but Trossard levelled late on.

Arsenal rescued a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich as Leandro Trossard's late leveller stopped Harry Kane from making a triumphant return to north London in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Trossard came off the bench to equalize 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 pulsating clash after security was increased at Champions League games this week.

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A media outlet supporting the Islamic State group published threats against stadiums hosting quarter-finals this week.

UEFA, European football's governing body, confirmed it was aware of the threats but the ties at the Emirates Stadium and in Madrid - where Real drew with Manchester City - both went ahead as planned.

Arsenal had taken an early lead through Bukayo Saka before former Gunners winger Serge Gnabry put Bayern back on 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.

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When Kane bagged 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 poised ahead of the second leg in Munich on April 17.

Premier League leaders Arsenal have been in superb form this season, while Bayern are on the brink of surrendering the German title for the first time in 12 years after a brutal 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.

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Elsewhere, Real Madrid and Champions League holders Manchester City shared a pulsating 3-3 draw in the other rollercoaster quarter-final first leg played on Tuesday.

Bernardo Silva put City ahead with a low free-kick but Ruben Dias' own goal and Rodrygo Goes helped Madrid dramatically and swiftly fight back.

Manchester City's own quick-fire double in the second half through Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol stunned the record 14-time winners, but they snatched a draw through Fede Valverde's scorching volley.

"We wanted to win and get a positive result out of the first game, but in the end we drew, making the mistake of letting in goals that we shouldn't have," Rodrygo told Movistar.

"We have to win there now... it's all open, whoever makes less mistakes there will go through."

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