Leandro Trossard admits that Arsenal left him carrying ‘mixed feelings’ after the 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
The 29-year-old emerged as the Gunners’ hero in the late stages at Emirates Stadium this Tuesday night. Trossard hauled Arsenal back level on aggregate ahead of their trip to Bayern Munich on April 17 after combining with Gabriel Jesus for their equaliser in the 76th minute.
Arsenal had started strongly and sealed the lead after only 12 minutes through Bukayo Saka. The 22-year-old punished Eric Dier for inviting the winger to shoot inside the box to find the far corner. But David Raya foolishly rushing out soon paved the way for Der FCB to equalise.
Leandro Trossard salvaged Arsenal a draw after David Raya’s errors vs Bayern Munich
Raya left Gabriel Magalhaes scrambling to avoid losing possession with Arsenal’s net empty. But the Brazilian stumbled as he dug out a pass to Jakub Kiwior, which Bayern Munich stole before Leon Goretzka assisted Serge Gnabry (18’). Harry Kane (32’) then scored his penalty.
Referee Glenn Nyberg confidently pointed to the penalty spot when William Saliba brushed Leroy Sane after the 28-year-old’s mazy run. Kane would make no mistake from the spot, as Raya majorly pre-empted the 30-year-old’s decision by diving early and leaving his net open.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Arsenal ace David Raya from his girlfriend to tattoo
Arsenal refused to yield, however, and eventually drew level when Jesus twisted toward the Bayern Munich goal before laying Trossard off to drill past Manuel Neuer. They will now fly out to Bavaria next Wednesday with all to play for in their Champions League quarter-final.
Leandro Trossard admits he has ‘mixed feelings’ after the quarter-final first-leg
But Trossard admits he left the pitch at Emirates Stadium with mixed emotions after Arsenal would only salvage a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich. The Belgian believes there was more on offer during the early phases whilst the Gunners enjoyed greater control of their first-leg tie.
“It’s a mixed feeling, I would say,” Trossard told Arsenal’s in-house media. “I think we started so well in the first 15 minutes – we could have been up by two or three goals.
“And then you can see their quality, as well, especially up front. Their individual qualities, they’re so strong, especially on the counterattack, and that’s where they hurt us today.
“At the end, I think we’re happy, obviously, with the equaliser. It brings us back on equal terms and then we have to do it there.”
Arsenal will particularly regret Ben White not scoring past Neuer in the 16th minute of Bayern Munich’s visit on Tuesday. The 26-year-old had a great chance to put the Gunners 2-0 up as Gnabry’s tame header fell nicely for Kai Havertz. But the right-back shot straight at Neuer.
Raya’s first major error of the Champions League quarter-final first-leg then punished White for his miss as Bayern Munich equalised. Sane also often ran rings around Kiwior in the first half before manager Mikel Arteta hooked the defender for Oleksandr Zinchenko at half-time.