It began with another fiercely early start. We awoke at half four on Tuesday morning to catch the first tube of the day to Heathrow. Whilst we are very lucky to have a direct link to such a major airport, it is still a very painful and tedious 90-odd minute journey across virtually the entire length of the Piccadilly Line. But it would not be the only tedious 90 minute journey we would be subjected to. More on that later!
After a hearty full English breakfast in terminal 2 (just the £56 for two breakfasts and a couple of teas!), it was time to board the plane. It’s a short flight to Bavaria so not too uncomfortable. We arrived at our hotel at about 2pm and after quickly unpacking we set off for Zur Festwiese , which we have previously visited during Oktoberfest. It was slightly less busy on this occasion! Whilst we were downing far too much beer, we got chatting to two Bulgarian Gooners who had travelled from Sofia and had tickets in the home section! It was a nice reminder of how massive our global fan base really is, and the dedication of a lot of these supporters having to pay thousands of pounds to watch our club over land and sea. Much pleasant conversation was had.
After a quick kip, which was much needed, we enjoyed another hearty meal at Augustiner Keller with a friend from back in our native N21 who is living and working in Munich for the year. Another Gooner of course!
On the day of the game we enjoyed a late breakfast before a few hours of sightseeing. We visited the Jewish Museum which details the history of Jewish people living in Munich and their wonderful contributions to the region as well as stories of the many persecutions to which they were subjected. Very interesting and of course somewhat harrowing at times. Certainly somewhere I’d recommend visiting.
Pre-game, we met up with friends and enjoyed Wiener Schnitzel (and a delightful apple strudel for dessert) and a stein or two before getting on a very packed metro to the game. As expected, the Arsenal boys were in great voice and the Bayern fans made good hosts as the Germans tend to!
It really is a bloody long walk over the bridge from the metro station to the Allianz Arena. Its famous bright red lighting could be seen for miles and the anticipation of visiting one of Europe’s most iconic sporting venues was building. We walked up the many steps to the away end in the upper tier where you are often housed on the continent. There was still just under an hour to kickoff so there was time to witness the atmosphere building.
We named a strong side as expected. Madueke began on the left after his winner off the bench at Forest as Eze dropped to the bench. Bayern were without the suspended Olise as well as Musiala and Kimmich. Of course there was still Harry Kane to worry about.
We started well but ten minutes in, we suffered a major blow as Saka, who had started brightly, abruptly pulled up with what looked like some sort of groin or quadriceps strain. He looked in serious discomfort and worryingly went straight down the tunnel. I very much doubt we will see him again this side of Christmas.
Saka was replaced by Eze and Madueke shifted to the right. After both sides traded a couple of decent chances we went ahead midway through the first half. Ødegaard played a sublime defence splitting pass over the top to Eze who ran onto it and finished superbly on his left foot. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but after a painful VAR check the goal was awarded and the away end went wild! Get in!
Our lead was short lived, as ten minutes later Harry Kane played his own defence-splitting pass to the rapid Alphonso Davies, who slotted home calmly on his right foot. 1-1. A fabulous goal but perhaps Timber could’ve tracked his man better.
A half in which both sides traded some decent chances and the second half followed in a similar vein. It looked as though Bruno Guimarães had restored our lead as his crashing header was tipped onto the woodwork by Manuel Neuer but it somehow stayed out. Moments later, David Raya made a similar stop from a towering header from Upamecano. On the hour mark it was time for Harry Kane’s customary penalty. In fairness it was a definite handball from Timber and it may well have been going in anyway. Unsuprisingly, Kane dispatched the penalty with distinction. 2-1 Bayern.
We responded as well as we could and our set pieces were looking more like the ones we enjoyed in our title winning campaign. On came Gyokeres for Havertz and, to his credit, the Swede made an impact. There was some nice interchange on the right between Madueke and Rice, the latter played a one-two with Gyökeres before slotting home calmly into the corner. 2-2. Timber may have won it late on with a rasping drive but a draw was a fair result with two of Europe’s elite sides played out an exhilarating tie. So much for boring, boring Arsenal!
Unusually, we were let out of the ground straight after the whistle, but we may as well have been kept in as the queues back to the metro were horrendous. From the end of the game, it took us around 90 minutes to get onto the train which was packed to the heavens. We finally got back to our hotel at 1am, more than two hours after the end of the game. From what we could see, there was essentially one metro station to serve 75,000 people. How the Bayern fans put up with that on a weekly basis I have no idea. So much for German efficiency!
Other than that, it was another great trip. Good food and drink, plenty to see and do and a high quality football match to top it all off. The atmosphere inside the ground was fantastic to witness and be a part of. Even if the stadium facilities weren’t up to scratch, the bowl itself was quite the sight and sound. Certainly one more ticked off the old football bucket list.
It is testament to how far we have come under Arteta that we can come to these places and compete fully even with injuries. It wasn’t so long ago we were routinely losing 5-1 to this lot. Those days are long gone. If we are to win it this year at last, then we will almost certainly need attacking reinforcements in January. But another deep run should be achievable at least.
Wonderful atmospheric report 21CG. European trips are not for me these days but I truly admire those who make these arduous journeys. You certainly saw a great game.
Thanks 21CG – I reckon the long walks served you well after the amazing amount of food and drink tucked away in two days.
Good performance last night. Good game and a fair result. I thought the penalty was harsh but predictable in Europe. Does Kane ever not get a penalty against us. The referee, though, handled a rapid, top level game very well. What a refreshing change from the usual PGMOL incompetence.
C100 asked in the last bar what my thoughts were on Saka’s injury.
I hoped, having seen the crouch position he played that pass in, that the sharp pain might have been a pinch on the femoral nerve (groin and front of thigh) but it seems not. Both the BBC and The Standard that I have looked up are quoting Mikel Arteta as saying “it doesn’t look good at all.”
It’s always difficult to guess with almost no information to go on. The BBC are saying probably 3-4 weeks out but I’ve no idea who their source is. Instant sharp pain in a muscle is not a good sign and the quads are clearly integral to absolutely everything a footballer does. I’m guessing from Saka’s reaction it has to be a grade 2 tear – in which case forget all about 3-4 weeks. At least this break might give his other ongoing issues a chance to repair. My personal instinctive fear is that Saka might be a nice Christmas present for us but we may not see him until early January.
Hope I’m wrong….
It sounds like quite the whirlwind trip, 21CG, barring the queuing. And an atmospheric report to top it off.
Trev:@2: It’s always difficult to guess with almost no information to go on. Really? You’re on the internet, you know…
Ned. I assume your last sentence was a joke, although there was no smiley face. If not, Trev is a professional sports scientist who would normally demur from a diagnosis without imaging, a one to one history taken with the patient and, of course, a physical examination. He’s very good to give us his experienced thoughts in the absence of all that.
Thanks 21CG, an enjoyable read about what seems to have been an
enjoyable game. A real blow to lose Saka as we are already short a winger.
21CG
What a fine report on a very fine game .
You make the very key point that Bayern used to be in a different league to us but under Arteta we can look them in the eye and we certainly did yesterday. I was very proud of our lads and we thoroughly deserved our draw .
The one downside was the Saka injury and I’m grateful for Trev’s input . It seems best to expect Bukayo back after Christmas. Time to see a bit more of SuperMaxie Dowman who could extend his scoring record against Everton this weekend .
One tactical observation is that we were susceptible to the counter . We were at Forest in the last ten minutes and were very susceptible last night . Bruno gives us more going forward but there is a price to pay . But Eze and Madueke did very well out wide
I went to the memorial service of a fine Gooner Dermot Murnaghan today . Arsenal was a frequent theme in the eulogies and the Rector ( a lady ) outed herself as a Spud . Dermot was able to see our title win before his passing .
I sat with Simon Thomas who hosts Soccer Saturday on Sky . We discussed all things football and it was interesting to understand how frenetic that programme is to run . It’s stressful but a great job if you love football . His biggest problem is not sulking when Norwich ( his team) concede !
TTG – it’s always interesting to consider with a Naaaarch game whether there are more teeth or surnames in the home crowd.
They had to cancel their sponsorship from Spillers Ltd some years ago when the trades descriptions people decided there was no way they could be allowed to wear shirts with Winalot printed on them. 😉
Trev
Simon started to wince when I mentioned Naaaaarch. So I spared him too much pain! I’m fond of them as a club . I’ve been to Carrow Road many times but not for some time!
Thanks 21st
A good game to watch and enjoy for a change – no 10-man low block to negotiate.
I thought we may even have snuck a win but the draw is a fine result.
Ned@3 – I got the humour. Shame about Saka though, maybe his various injuries are all connected somehow.
UTA
TTG – I used to go to Naaaarch around this time every year for a Ski Coaches weekend in the Norwich dry slope. From the top of the slope you could see the house on the Coleman’s (mustard) estate and hear the crowd noise from Carrow Road although you couldn’t see it.
Trev
You’re lucky to find a slope in Naaarch !
C100@4: your assumption that it was a joke is well founded. The ellipses were meant to be the tell. I have only the greatest respect for Trev’s professional expertise, and his sense of humour.
After that Winalot shaggy dog story, though…
(And a 😃 for insurance.)
Thanks 21CG for an illuminating report. To enjoy the delights of Munich along with watching an excellent match at the Allianz makes a wonderful trip which came across in your prose.
We came away from a high class match with a most credible draw – it was good to see there was no fear in how we approached the game. Some very good performances with men of the match awards to the R men – Rice and Raya with many not far behind.
The look and nature of Bakayos injury suggest it’s serious and I assume he won’t br fit to play for many weeks, probably not until next year.