AFP – Mikel Arteta has warned Arsenal to learn from their costly mistakes on Wednesday’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich if they want to reach the Champions League semi-finals.
Arteta’s side ensured their quarter-final clash remains finely balanced thanks to Leandro Trossard’s late equaliser in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s old tormentor-in-chief Harry Kane had ignored a hostile reception from Gunners fans to mark his return to north London with the ice-cool penalty that put Bayern 2-1 up in the first half.
Former Tottenham striker Kane’s sixth career goal at the Emirates came after ex-Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry cancelled out Bukayo Saka’s early opener for the Gunners.
It was a frustrating evening for Arsenal, who looked hesitant at times in their first Champions League quarter-final since 2010.
The Premier League leaders have been in red-hot form in 2024, while Bayern have stumbled through a crisis-torn campaign.
But Arsenal’s status as favourites to advance to the last four was undone by some uncharacteristically sloppy defending.
Arteta urged his players to use the experience as a valuable tool to make amends in the second leg in Munich on April 17.
“We will go again in Munich. We are alive. The game became difficult and they understand they have to step up the level,” he said.
“We have made some mistakes today. Lets learn from it. These players have been unbelievable. It’s part of football. Lets support them.
“I sense the belief there. We are going to go to Munich and have a chance to win it. We’re going to be better in certain areas and that’s how we are going to prepare it.”
Arteta admitted Bayern’s impressive first half had rattled his team, but he was impressed with the way they regained their composure after the interval.
CRAZY SITUATION
“The second goal created some insecurity in the team but after we reacted well. It’s easy to throw your toys away when things don’t go right,” he said.
“The subs, especially Leandro and Gabriel, made a huge impact with their body language and the initiative they took to make things happen.”
Saka was convinced he should have been awarded a penalty in the final seconds when Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer appeared to make contact with the Arsenal winger.
But replays suggested Saka had initiated the contact and Arteta refused to be drawn on the controversy, saying only that he “hadn’t seen the image again” and “can’t change” the decision.
Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel bemoaned a separate penalty incident that didn’t go his side’s way.
