Arsenal 2-0 Bayern Munich (agg 2-1): Gunners reach first semi-final in decade with dominant display

(Photo by Huy Phan: https://www.pexels.com/photo/building-of-emirates-stadium-17160674/)

A superb, blistering performance with goals from Frida Manum and Stina Blackstenius, sent Arsenal through to the last four of the Uefa Women’s Champions League.

Jonas Eidevall made a couple of changes to the side, a front-footed approach to Arsenal’s free-flowing front line. Katie McCabe was shifted to left-back, with Noelle Maritz to right-back, which was trialled in the first affair to ramp up the pressure from the first minute.

After a frantic first leg, tonight started off with the same tune: stoppages, fouls and another injury worry for Arsenal as Kim Little was forced off with just over ten minutes played.

Bayern Munich have only conceded four goals in the Frauen-Bundesliga this season, so their stubborn wall was always going to be difficult to surpass.

But if you don’t try, you won’t succeed. Manuum hit a half-volley from outside the box with precision, and the Emirates erupted in their thousands.

Arsenal were dominant on the ball and made sure to make the turnovers count. Their sustained pressure caught the German side lacking numerous times. That feeling when you know a goal is coming? Well, Blackstenius has had that feeling for a while, and following her performance last week, it was surely fate that she would score today. A towering header and The Gunners were in dreamland.

It took 33 minutes for Bayern to land their first shot on goal through Franziska Kett, and it whistled over the bar. A warning sign though, a 2-0 scoreline before half-time would suffice, but it could change within an instant. That’s knock-out football for you.

Arsenal made sure to persist in their dominant approach after half-time, and with over 20,000 tickets were sold, the supporters made sure to have the players’ back.

However, it became slightly nervy for the home side, with Bayern finally getting some shots on goal: Klara Buhl danced her way into the box and would have scored if Wubben-Moy didn’t block her attempt. Several corners for Bayern Munich also caused a few edgy moments, but Arsenal were able to hold on to their two-goal advantage, they could sense a semi-final slot was just around the corner.

Naturally, Bayern needed to change a few things, and Alexander Straus was visually agitated on the touchline. Committing players forward will lead to counter-attacks and opportunities were bound to occur. Caitlin Foord missed a golden opportunity to make it three to the good following a slick passage of play. After her brace last weekend in the North London derby, she should have buried that chance but thankfully for her, it wasn’t a chance to rue.

However, there was another worrying sight for Arsenal fans, after star Katie McCabe was also forced off after clashing with Emelyne Laurent. But that didn’t stop the cheers at full-time. It’s been over a decade since Arsenal went through to the semi-final, and with Arsenal are the only English side to win the competition, there’s now that sense of internal belief they could be lifting another trophy at the end of the season.

Arsenal shift their focus domestically and following the huge 5-1 victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur, they have the challenge of facing Manchester City who are three points ahead but have a game in hand. The Gunners have the momentum now and will continue looking up the table after tonight's supreme show on Europe’s biggest stage.