Arsenal gloriously defied the odds to defeat an unbeaten Bayern Munich 2-0 and reignite their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stage last night.
There was a touch of controversy on a magnificent evening as the ball appeared to brush the hand of Olivier Giroud as he headed Arsenal into the lead 13 minutes from time, before Mesut Özil sealed victory seconds from the end.
Chelsea did not have the same fortune after twice hitting the woodwork through Eden Hazard and Willian in a goalless draw away to Dynamo Kiev in group G.
After losing their opening two games in group F, Arsenal had no room for error and faced early elimination, but they will have renewed belief and confidence that they can make up further ground when they play the reverse fixture in Munich in a fortnight’s time.
Manuel Neuer spoilt an otherwise world-class display in Bayern’s goal when he charged off his line and missed his attempt at punching a free kick, with Giroud running in behind to head into the empty net just three minutes after the striker came on to the pitch.
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Giroud appeared to make a cryptic reference to the handball when he was asked how he maintained his mental strength after a slow start to the season resulted in him losing his starting place.
“All the qualities are there, I just needed a helping hand from destiny and tonight it worked in my favour,” Giroud said.
“It’s certainly not my most beautiful goal, but it’s one of the most important. I’ve had a bit more luck than in recent weeks, so I’m making the most of it. For a striker it always works in cycles, and I know that. You can’t start doubting yourself. It’s good. It is a big relief. We needed the win to stay in the Champions League.”
Giroud has been a substitute in his past four appearances for Arsenal, scoring in three of those games, and he struck twice for France against Denmark this month to take his tally to eight for the season. Neuer admitted that he had made a “big mistake” for the goal, but he had already pulled off a fantastic point-blank save from Theo Walcott’s header and seemed to have made another brilliant stop to keep out Özil’s side-footed shot, but the official behind the goal spotted that the ball had crossed the line.
Arsenal chased the ball for much of the game, but Petr Cech made outstanding saves to keep his side level. “We kept our belief until the end and this shows our mental strength to stand up to our opponents and to play on the counterattack,” Giroud said. “We did that rather well. We defended throughout the game, it wasn’t easy. We came up against a Bayern side that loves to get on the ball and created a lot of chances. [Petr] Cech was great tonight and our defence was quite simply remarkable. We needed to be patient to take the lead and we finished the job off. It’s good to have won, because it means we’re still on track for the last 16, but we’ll need to beat Dynamo Zagreb and Olympiacos in the final two games, and why not cause Bayern a few problems over there.”
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Bayern had won 12 previous straight games in all competitions and looked ready to add to that when Robert Lewandowski, the in-form striker, wriggled clear in the opening seconds but could not find a finish. Cech tipped over from the outstanding Douglas Costa on the stroke of half-time and pushed Lewandowski’s drive over the bar to keep his side in the lead. The saves further highlighted Arsène Wenger’s decision to rest the goalkeeper against Olympiacos in the previous game, when David Ospina fumbled the ball over his line and cost his side defeat.
Wenger refused to acknowledge his mistake. “I expected this question and already spoke about it,” he said. “Cech was a key figure. He was intelligent, everything is classy. He was very important and he kept us in the game, and you can say the same for Neuer. You had two world-class goalkeepers on the pitch. It was vital on both sides.”
Wenger said that Arsenal’s stamina proved the significant factor and they can build on the win that followed 3-0 victories over Manchester United and Watford in the league.
“It came down to concentration and discipline,” Wenger said. “I was sure that we could beat them. It came down to which side was going to drop off physically first, and I think that Bayern did that. It can strengthen our belief and the belief of people around us, our fans and supporters. It’s important that we have a good balance between defending well and attacking well.”
There was one bad piece of news after Aaron Ramsey limped off with a hamstring injury early after the interval, having suffered that problem on three separate occasions last season. He joins Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere, also midfielders, in the treatment room.
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Pep Guardiola, the Bayern coach, did not complain about the Giroud goal, saying: “We played with huge personality. Keepers are amazing. It was a funny game, but it’s OK.”
Stirring Arsenal comebacks in Europe
Apr 23, 1980, Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final, second leg
Juventus 0, Arsenal 1 (Arsenal win 2-1 on aggregate): Arsenal are heading out on away goals until Paul Vaessen, a substitute, heads home Graham Rix’s cross with two minutes left.
Nov 25, 2003, Champions League group game Inter Milan 1, Arsenal 5
Facing elimination, Arsenal beat an Inter side who won 3-0 at Highbury two months earlier. Thierry Henry scores twice, while Fredrik Ljungberg, Edu and Robert Pirès complete the rout.
Mar 6, 2012, Champions League round of 16, second leg Arsenal 3, AC Milan 0 (Milan win 4-3 on aggregate)
Written off after a first-leg hammering, Arsenal almost manage a fine comeback, scoring three first-half goals.
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Mar 13, 2013, Champions League round of 16, second leg Bayern Munich 0, Arsenal 2 (aggregate 3-3; Bayern win on away goals)
Laurent Koscielny scores Arsenal’s second goal five minutes from time against a Bayern team who, incredibly, won their previous 11 games.