Petr Cech inspires Arsenal to victory over Bayern Munich
LONDON, England (Kurdistan24) – Barclays Premier League club Arsenal recorded their first victory in this season’s UEFA Champions League, defeating German champions Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, London on Tuesday night.
Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger made one notable change to his lineup, handing goalkeeper Petr Cech his first Champions League appearance for The Gunners. The former Chelsea goalkeeper, who won the trophy with Chelsea in 2012 who defeated Bayern in the final, and replaced David Ospina who had started the previous two matches. It was a decision that would greatly pay off.
Robert Lewandowski, who has scored 15 goals in his last seven matches for club and country, was the obvious threat to the London club.
Arsenal began with confidence and were direct in their attack with Mesut Özil forcing Manuel Neur into a save after a great passing play involving the in-form Alexis Sanchez.
Moments later, Arsenal came under pressure at the other end, and Cech was forced into his first big save of the match, pushing away a Thiago Alcantara effort. The Spaniard looked destined to score, but Cech denied him such glory.
Bayern kept possession well and looked intent on scoring the first goal. Cech was forced into another save after 27 minutes, stretching to his right to deny Arturo Vidal.
Arsenal’s best chance of the first-half fell to Theo Walcott, but the forward’s bullet header was kept out superbly by the magnificent Neur. After another fluid passage of play from Alexis Sanchez to create the chance, all Walcott had to do was guide the ball home, but Neur had other plans.
After a goalless first-half, Bayern Munich looked more likely of the two teams to open the scoring. Before a couple of half chances in the early stages of the second half, Douglas Costa set up Lewandowski in the seventy-fifth minute, but the Polish striker, who was under pressure from Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny, had his shot saved by Cech.
Bayern striker Thomas Muller came within inches of putting his side ahead with a clever effort just inside the box moments later, turning his defender and striking a low shot towards goal.
Arsenal were awarded a free-kick inside Bayern’s half of the pitch on 76 minutes, and after Neur misjudged the flight of the cross, substitute Olivier Giroud was on hand to tuck in the ball and give Arsenal the lead. Giroud came close with a free header from a corner, minutes later, but his effort was straight at Neur.
Bayern threatened deep into stoppage time with Lewandowski finding space in the Arsenal box, but Koscielny did well to deny the striker a shooting opportunity.
Arsenal would double their lead with seconds remaining in the match, after an energetic run by Hector Bellerin to set up Özil. The German international’s effort looked to have been saved miraculously by Neur, but the match officials agreed that the ball had in fact crossed the line first.
Arsenal rejoiced in the crucial victory that Wenger described as an “intense display,” as Bayern left stunned and empty handed. The Germans still remain top of Group F, and will host Arsenal in a fortnight at the Allianz Arena in Germany.