Arsenal 2-1 Bayern
Arsenal got their International Champions Cup campaign off to a winning start as they grabbed a 2-1 win over Bayern Munich.
An 88th-minute strike from substitute Freddie Nketiah gave the Gunners all three points after Robert Lewandowski had equalised for the reigning German champions following an own goal.
The International Champions Cup 2019 betting odds had the Gunners priced as underdogs against mighty Bayern. But the hunger of the Arsenal youngsters in the second half was enough to thwart the German giants, who still appear to have some more rust to shake off.
Highlights of the game
Contrary to my preview of this match, it was Arsenal who fielded the more experienced starting line-up. Only midfielder Joseph Willock was included in what was more or less a first-choice starting XI that included the star trio of Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Alexandre Lacazette in attack.
As for Bayern, they played a handful of youngsters, including highly-rated forward Jann-Fiete Arp. Arp and fellow teens Ryan Johansson and Daniels Ontuzans served as support for Thomas Muller, who started up front as the likes of Lewandowski, Serge Gnabry, and Kingsley Coman began the match on the bench.
Arsenal had the better of the early exchanges. Aubameyang and Ozil combined for a couple of half-chances, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan lashed a ball across the face of the goal which was just beyond the reach of Lacazette.
But despite their positive start, Arsenal nearly found themselves a goal down as a goalkeeper Bernd Leno and centre-back Sokratis made a hash of clearing their lines. Their mix-up nearly saw Corentin Tolisso pounce, but Leno was able to recover and smother the ball in time.
Manuel Neuer also came quite close to making a costly error on the other end. Aubameyang very nearly dispossessed the Bayern keeper, who was being too cute in front of his own six-yard box.
Bayern had another great chance after the hour mark as Muller ghosted in to meet a David Alaba cross in the six-yard box. But Leno was able to make a great save as Arsenal survived another scare. Minutes later, it was Ozil’s turn to force a save out of Neuer after a well-worked counter-attack.
Half-time saw a handful of substitutions, with Bayern finally bringing in the big guns in Lewandowski, Gnabry, and Coman.
However, it was another Bayern substitute in young defender Louis Poznanski who broke the deadlock just four minutes after the break. But unfortunately, it was with an own goal. The teenager inadvertently redirected Aubameyang’s cross into his own net, giving keeper Sven Ulreich no chance.
The Bayern first-teamers finally began to up the pressure on Arsenal in response. Former Gunner Serge Gnabry went close with one effort, which was deflected just wide. Gnabry was also very close to rounding the keeper, but Emiliano Martinez — who came on for Leno at half-time — got an important touch to deny him a shot on goal.
Coman also came close to firing one into the roof of the net, but he was denied by a brilliant fingertip save by Martinez.
However, the Arsenal keeper could do nothing about Robert Lewandowski’s towering 71st-minute header which levelled things up for Bayern.
Bayern were now on the ascendancy and were looking for a winner. Gnabry’s shot from just outside the box forced a smart save from Ulreich on 80 minutes. Coman also had another rocket of a shot go just inches wide.
Bayern would rue those missed chances as Arsenal would snatch the winner on 88 minutes. After working a brilliant one-two with Calum Chambers, Tyreece John-Jules delivered a fine cross which Eddie Nketiah just about bundled home from point-blank range.
That could end up being the first of a few more International Champions Cup 2019 highlights for John-Jules and Nketiah, who figure to see a bit more playing time in the tournament following their performances against Bayern.
Key statistics
This was quite an exciting, evenly contested matchup which the statistics bore out. Possession was nearly even as Bayern just about edged it with 51 per cent of the ball. They also held a slight edge with 19 shots and seven shots on target compared to 17 and five for Arsenal.
On the balance of play, a draw would’ve been a fair result for both teams. But Bayern were just unlucky with the own goal, which ended up being the difference.
What’s next?
Arsenal’s next assignment at the International Champions Cup will be against Italian side Fiorentina, who won their opening match against Chivas Guadalajara, 2-1.
Meanwhile, Bayern will look to bounce back from their defeat in their clash of the titans against Spanish giants Real Madrid. Don’t forget to check out SBOBET for a breakdown of that massive matchup.
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