Arsenal 2 Bayern Munich 0 (2-1 agg) Women’s Champions League Quarter Final

Under the cover of unrelenting rainfall, illuminated by the dancing lights of the Emirates, It was Arsenal who made it to their first semi-finals in over a decade. Overcoming a 1-0 deficit at home with a suburb effort by Frida Mannum and trademark header by Stina Blackstenius to score her second in as many games.

21,000 fans came out to watch the Gunners remain in contention for a chance at a second Champions League victory. Manager Jonas Eidevall made one change to the line-up that suffered a 1-0 defeat at the Allianz, with Victoria Pelova replacing Laura Wienroither in the line-up. Rafael Sousa returned after missing the 5-1 dismantling of Tottenham in the North London Derby.

Bayern began with a heavy spell of possession, utilising a 3-1-6 formation with the ball to press the Gunner’s midfield back and allow Kumagai space to showcase her passing.

A surging run by Maritz in the 6th minute elevated the crowd and offered one of the few attempts at sustained attack by Arsenal in the first stage of play.

Jonas Eidevall shrouded in an oblique Arsene Wengeresque coat, wondered decisively on the touchline as his team struggled to make inroads early - his jacket emulsified by the North London rain.

Kim Little went down with an injury after a transitional attack where if she broke through the Munich wall - would’ve left her one-on-one with the goalkeeper. She was substituted for Lotte Wubben-Moy in the 12th minute of the game.

With the substitution came a tactical alteration by Eidevall, with Leah Williamson moving into the midfield three.

After a tantalising display of passing capped off with a smooth Ronaldo chop assist by Williamson, Mannum fired in a curling effort into the roof of the net to give the Gunners the lead. It followed numerous press attempts hoping to suffocate a Bayern backline that waned in confidence over the first 20 minutes.

A break in the heavens accompanied a flurry of Arsenal attacks - with Katie McCabe in the 26th minute nicely baiting Maxi Rall into hesitating, allowing her to place a pristine chipped ball onto the head of the Swede, Blackstenius.

Released from the shackles of her defensive partnership, Leah Williamson took it upon herself to cover every blade of grass on the field, almost scoring another as she met Caitlin Foord's lifted ball just to miss by inches.

The 40th minute so a barrage of attempts in the six-yard box by the Gunners, with goalkeeper Maria Grohs stretching her limbs in every direction denying the Reds twice, keeping her side in the game.

Set pieces seemed to be stardust for Arsenal, with each one causing havoc for the Germans, a particular one in the 45th minute ended with a cross turned shot by Wubben-Moy which rattled the underside of the crossbar.

The second half began with Bayern piling the pressure overcompensating on their right hand leaving Manuum space to exploit a 3 on 2 situation which ended with an overhit pass by Blackstenuis.

After an elegant display of possession, the Bavarians were finally able to add a shot on target with Klara Buhl twisting and turning to find the net.

The tempo of the game dropped a couple of octaves with Bayern playing with more menace in attempts to rescue the tie.

The Gunners escaped the cauldron of pressure with Manuum skilfully setting Foord up to add a third, but the Australian added too much gloss to the finish.

Jovana Damajanovic emerged as the antagonist of the night, after leaving afters on a few Arsenal players in frustration.

In the 87th minute, Katie McCabe entered a 50-50 leaving her injured, scorer Blackstenuis was also taken off with Lina Hurtig and Jennifer Beattie replacing the two.

The final whistle was met with a burgeoning roar by the home crowd as the Gunners continue on the Road to Eindhoven.

END