Arsenal 2 - 0 Bayern Munich

 

Arsenal revived their Champions League hopes in thrilling fashion with a crucial victory over Bayern Munich at Emirates Stadium. 

The Gunners' hopes of reaching the knockout phase were in serious jeopardy after they lost their opening two games away to Dinamo Zagreb and at home to Olympiakos.

Arsene Wenger's side responded by beating Pep Guardiola's Bayern - clear favourites to win Group F - and make a nonsense of those dismal earlier performances.

Bayern dominated possession but Arsenal dug out the win that keeps their hopes alive when substitute Olivier Giroud bundled home from close range in the 77th minute after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made a rare error as he missed Santi Cazorla's free-kick.

The win was secured in the dying seconds when Mesut Ozil turned in Hector Bellerin's cross, Neuer clawing the ball out only for the officials to adjudge it had crossed the line.

Arsenal were indebted to keeper Petr Cech, restored after replacement David Ospina's mistake in the defeat by Olympiakos, saving superbly from Thiago Alcantara and Arturo Vidal.

Neuer also excelled before his mistake, particularly with a sensational save from Theo Walcott's first-half header.

The faces of Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer made four saves in the first half, the best a one-handed stop to deny Theo Walcott 

Neuer is widely regarded as the world's best - but it was a mixed night for Germany's World Cup winner.

He produced a save only the greats can contemplate when clawing out Walcott's close-range header in the first half when a goal seemed certain.

Could Walcott's header have been directed better?

Did he give Neuer just that slight chance of making a save that the best will always take advantage of?

Yes, but it was still a monument to reflexes, agility and technique as Neuer left Walcott dumbfounded, as well as Aaron Ramsey, who had already turned to celebrate a goal.

Neuer, however, proved he was fallible as Arsenal took the lead, making an ungainly dash from goal and flapping hopelessly at Cazorla's cross to allow Giroud to scramble home with a hint of handball.
It happens to the best - and it may just have saved Arsenal's Champions League campaign.

Shaw Post believes that Arsene Wenger will be very happy at how his Arsenal side played today as they defied all the odds to score two quality counter attacking goals late on in the second half to win 2-0 against an amazing Bayern Munich side. 
 

Perhaps this result will give Arsenal the belief that they can really kick start their Champions League revival by going to Munich and beating Bayern Munich to go level on points with them with two games remaining.

After Arsenal face Bayern Munich they welcome Dinamo Zagreb to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday 24th November before travelling to face Olympiacos on Wednesday 9th December.

 For Arsenal to advance into the Last 16 they will need to get at least 10 points which means they have to draw against Bayern Munich and win their remaining two games. It's difficult but not impossible just remember the 2004 season when Arsenal had 1 point from three group matches and then won the remaining three to go through.
 

As for Bayern Munich they will be very unhappy that they couldn't win tonight but they were up against one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Petr Cech. They will want to bounce back in the return match on the  4th of  November.