Bayern 1 - 1 Aresenal

Bravely and gallantly, Arsenal bowed out of the Champions League at Bayern Munich once again on Tuesday night. Arsenal With a 2-0 deficit from the first leg, Arsène Wenger’s side always faced a Herculean task. They battled on the back foot throughout the first half. Then battled back quickly after conceding a goal from Bastian Schweinsteiger just after the break. Lukas Podolski’s instant, emphatic reply heralded Arsenal’s best period of the game. They tested a Bayern side that are rated as the best in the world and have the silverware to prove it. Let’s be honest, the Champions League holders were superior this evening and had had this tie under their control since the first 15 minutes of the first leg when Wojciech Szczesny was sent off and Toni Kroos put them in the second half at Emirates Stadium. However, despite their advantage, Bayern never shook off Arsenal throughout the two legs. Even when the hosts got an penalty in injury time Lukas Fabianski preserved parity by saving with his feet. Wenger’s side had won here 2-0 in similar circumstances last season and it changed their season. That’s why this draw should not be dismissed. Bayern are ruthless side who give nothing away. They went for a win this evening and could not achieve it. That is rare for Pep Guardiola’s side. Last season, Arsenal’s performance here breathed life into their run-in. There is no reason why this result could not do the same. SETTING THE SCENE Wenger’s team was set up to attack - and that was entirely understandable. Podolski came in on the left side and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was retained but, this time, in central midfield. Elsewhere Olivier Giroud replaced Yaya Sanogo and Thomas Vermaelen deputised at left back for the injured Kieran Gibbs. Lukasz Fabianski kept his place as Wojciech Szczesny sat out his suspension for that sending off in the first game. At kick-off it was all eerily familiar. Arsenal had been on this ground, in this round with this deficit a year ago. They had won 2-0 but went out on away goals. Bayern went on to lift the trophy as well as a domestic double. Since that game, both sides had improved. Wenger’s men were four points shy of leaders Chelsea rather than seven points off fourth-place Tottenham like last season. Also they were in the FA Cup semi-final rather than smarting from a shock exit to Blackburn. Bayern’s statistics this term were simply awe-inspiring for football’s mathematicians. Arsenal could not afford to give them the respect their numbers merited. FIRST HALF The visitors had set the tone for last season’s victory with Giroud’s goal after just three minutes. This time, Bayern would not be caught cold. The home side began on the offensive and pressed Arsenal into their own third of the pitch. However the partnership of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny had been forged on this ground last season. They stood firm. We got the first sniff of a chance in the 19th minute when Franck Ribery reached the left-hand byline and clipped a clever cross to the far post where Arjen Robben bundled a scruffy shot over the bar. Javi Martinez turned in Thiago’s free-kick but it was ruled out for offside. Oxlade-Chamberlain had been Arsenal’s brightest attacking hope thus far. On the half-hour, his mazy run was ended illegally by Thiago. Podolski’s free-kick was deflected for a corner. From that, Giroud tested Manuel Neuer with a header. However Bayern were still dominant in terms of territory, possession and chances created. Eight minutes from the break, Mario Gotze reached the byline and cut the ball back into a crowded area. Robben’s shot was booted off the goal-line by Koscielny. Just before the half-time whistle, David Alaba’s left-wing cross was nodded down to Gotze, whose snapshot was matched by a sharp, low save by Fabianski. For Arsenal, the first half had been hard work and played entirely on the back foot. But they were still in the game. SECOND HALF Mesut Ozil was replaced by Tomas Rosicky at the break, the German had picked up a hamstring injury. The interval had done nothing to alter the flow of the game. Bayern were still on top, Arsenal were looking to snatch something on the break. In the 55th minute, the pressure finally told. Ribery cut in from the left and found Schweinsteiger in the middle. He lifted his shot over Fabianski to put the home side ahead. The lead would last barely a minute. Podolski held off Phillip Lahm and, with few options in the centre, thumped home a shot from the tightest of angles into the roof of the net. Seconds later Oxlade-Chamberlain stormed down the left and only Dante’s intervention stopped Giroud sweep home from the edge of the area. Arsenal were emboldened by the goal and suddenly found an edge to their game they had struggled to capture for the first hour. They had to gamble of course but the visitors were turning the odds in their favour and making Bayern nervous at the back. However the hosts settled themselves and might have settled the tie had Mario Mandzukic touched home Thiago’s cushioned, cross-goal assist from close range. Fabianski’s intervention was timed to perfection. Gradually and cautiously, Bayern saw out the game. Time ticked on but Arsenal could not kick on. In injury time, Koscielny was harshly adjudged to have bundled over Robben in the area and Thomas Muller had the chance to win it from the penalty spot. Fabianski half-saved with his legs and recovered to smother the ball. Arsenal were out but they went out with their head held high.

Bayern vs Arsenal

Vermaelen starts at Bayern Thomas Vermaelen will start at left back in the second leg of Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 clash against Bayern Munich. The captain will deputise for the injured Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal, with Laurent Koscielny back at the heart of the defence. Elsewhere, Lukas Podolski will line up on the left flank, with Mathieu Flamini dropping to the bench. Olivier Giroud returns to spearhead the attack in place of Yaya Sanogo. Team in full: Fabianski, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Ozil Podolski, Giroud Subs: Viviano, Flamini, Gnabry, Jenkinson, Rosicky, Hayden.

Semi Final FA Cup 2014

Arsenal to face Wigan in semi-finals Arsenal will play Wigan Athletic in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at Wembley. The tie will take place on the weekend 12/13 April. Stay close to Arsenal.com for fixture and ticket information.

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‘Ozil is over Bayern penalty miss now’

Arsène Wenger believes Mesut Ozil has now recovered from his penalty miss against Bayern Munich last month. The Germany international saw his ninth-minute spot kick saved by Manuel Neuer as the 10-man Gunners were beaten 2-0 at Emirates Stadium. Ozil scored his first goal in three months against Everton on Saturday, and his influential display gave Wenger much to be optimistic about. “He was absolutely in a different physical shape, even if he played nearly 90 minutes on Wednesday night against Chile,” the Arsenal manager said. “It was quite a tough game but sometimes when you have two tough games like that it helps you to recover. “I like the way he finished, calm in a convincing way. He made great runs and he was absolutely outstanding from the first to the last minute.” “[The missed penalty against Bayern] affected him mentally too much,” Wenger added. “It was not only physical, it was mental. He had the feeling he let the team down at a very important moment. That affected his performance very much. “Psychologically sometimes the wound is like a physical one. You can talk and talk and talk, but it takes time. You just have to leave it to time. I think he is over it. He has a good opportunity to show on Tuesday night how good he is.” Wenger is delighted with Ozil’s improved form and says he will continue to work hard to get the very best out of the 25-year-old. “I would like him to find the right balance between being a provider and finisher,” he said. “At the moment the balance is a bit detrimental to the finishing. His strong side is providing. “But he is pacy, much quicker than people think he is, and with that technical quality and pace, if he gets into the right areas and with the service he has, he can score goals. He wants to score more goals, I am convinced of that.”

Arsenal 4-1 Everton

They reached the FA Cup semi-final with a thunderous 4-1 win over Everton at Emirates Stadium on Saturday. This passionate, pacy quarter-final was decided in the closing 20 minutes. Mesut Ozil and Romelu Lukaku had swapped goals in a whirlwind first half. Both sides went for it after the restart but the excellent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was clipped by Gareth Barry in the 70th minute and Mikel Arteta scored a twice-taken penalty. Olivier Giroud sealed the trip across London for the semi-final with a brace in the last 10 minutes. This win was crucial in itself. However with massive games against Bayern Munich and Tottenham in the next seven days it was an important scene-setter too. Arsenal were worth their victory, the likes of Ozil and Giroud looked back on top form while the crowd backed the team to the hilt. A huge day for Wenger’s men. SETTING THE SCENE It was the start of a busy week and changes were expected. In the end Wenger made six. Lukasz Fabianski, Yaya Sanogo, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Mathieu Flamini and Thomas Vermaelen all came in. The following players dropped to the bench: Giroud Lukas Podolski and Tomas Rosicky. Jack Wilshere and Laurent Koscielny were injured. Wojciech Szczesny was left out entirely. Everton were almost at full strength. The main alteration was Joel Robles for Tim Howard in goal. It was a beautiful day in north London and Emirates was simply splendid at kick-off. Everyone was well aware that a trip to Wembley was at stake. This was Arsenal’s fourth successive home draw in this year’s competition. The last time they had been given that advantage in opening four rounds was 1950. The historians among you will know they had won it that year. FIRST HALF If anything, Everton settled the quicker. Leighton Baines sent a penetrative cross over and Sylvain Distin nearly scrambled home at the far post. However Arsenal had scored early against Liverpool in the last round and they did the same today. Santi Cazorla ushered a perfectly-weighted ball into the path of Ozil, who kept his cool and passed the ball into the net. It was his first goal since the Premier League meeting between the sides at Emirates in December. Arsenal were alight. Sanogo and Oxlade-Chamberlain fired in vicious shots that Robles did well to parry. However Everton were not intimidated and when Kevin Mirallas hooked the ball back from the byline only the attention of Bacary Sagna forced Steven Pienaar to slice wide. The game was 15 minutes old but it had packed in enough action for a full first half. Meanwhile the pace, passion and desire of the game was pure FA Cup. Ozil cut the ball back perfectly for Kieran Gibbs, whose goalbound effort was blocked. As we reached the half-hour, Arsenal had taken control. They were testing Robles with plenty of shots and early, hanging crosses. Sagna sent over one of the latter and the keeper was fortunate when he inadvertently tipped it onto his own bar. Even Everton’s equaliser on 33 minutes came when Arsenal were on the offensive and Arteta’s attempt was blocked. Ross Barkley broke away and arrowed a cross to the far post where Mirallas miscued from four yards out. However the ball fell to Lukaku, who prodded the ball into the unguarded net from close range. It was a blow. Arsenal had never been entirely comfortable but they had enjoyed the greater control. Both probed away before the interval but, when the whistle went, this game was on a knife-edge with the outcome entirely uncertain. SECOND HALF Arsenal were back on the front foot at the start of the second half. However the opening ten minutes brought only a couple of half-chances. Everton would create the clearest opportunity when Lukaku profited from Vermaelen’s slip and Barkley fired just over the bar from the edge of the area. Cazorla thought he had threaded a shot just inside the far post but Robles tipped his shot aside in the second. On the hour, Wenger replaced Sanogo with Giroud. The latter nearly slid home Ozil’s near-post cross with his first touch. Arsenal looked better for the change and, shortly afterwards, they had the lead again. Barry clipped Oxlade-Chamberlain as the midfielder tried to wriggle past on the byline. Arteta put the penalty to Robles’ right but referee Mark Clattenburg spotted Giroud encroaching in the area. So Arteta took it again and put it high to Robles’ left. The relief was immense but the concentration had to match it immediately. Everton now had to gamble to stay in the competition. Unfortunately for them they lost. Giroud steered home from close range after excellent work from Sagna. The full back had been superb going forward all afternoon. A minute from full time, the Frenchman ended a sweeping move including Ozil, Cazorla and Rosicky to make it 4-1. This was great win but, more than that, it was a fine performance against very good opposition. Arsenal have two more huge tests this week but, on the basis of this game, they are in fine fettle. And their trip to Wembley is secured.

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Kieran Gibbs says playing in the Youth Cup was a vital stepping stone for his Arsenal career. The under-18s take on Everton in the quarter-finals of the competition at Emirates Stadium tonight as they look to emulate the success of the 2009 side. You get to realise what it's like playing in front of big crowds and taking part in a big competition Kieran Gibbs Gibbs played and scored in Arsenal's semi-final defeat to Manchester United back in 2007 and remembers the excitement he felt playing in front of big crowds in the latter stages of the competition. "I remember one year specifically we had a good run and a really strong team," Gibbs told Arsenal Player. "We were probably a bit over-convinced that we was going to win it. We were knocked out of the semi-final by Man United at Old Trafford in the second leg. "I think we were 3-1 up and in the last 10 minutes of the game they managed to get it to extra time and then they nicked a last-minute goal. "The Youth Cup was a great experience especially when you're young, with the chance to take part in a good competition. I think it's vital for your development. "It was a really exciting time for all the players. You get to realise what it's like playing in front of big crowds and taking part in a big competition. "It's nice if you're a Youth Cup winner to have that under your belt before you start your career." Tickets will be available for the game priced at £4 adults and £2 for concessions from the Arsenal Box Office, subject to availability.

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Mikel Arteta believes that an early Arsenal goal could change the whole psychology of Tuesday night’s game against Bayern Munich.

The Gunners trail 2-0 from the first leg at Emirates Stadium, but will be hoping for a repeat of last year’s result in Germany when they won by the same scoreline. Olivier Giroud’s third-minute strike in that game stunned the Allianz Arena and Arteta is hoping for a similar situation this time around. “Last year’s [win in Germany] does create more belief that the result is possible,” the vice-captain said. “It is vital that we score a goal. Obviously [if we do] the game changes and the psychological game starts and that is where we could have an advantage. “It is a tough place to come but we believe and we have been fighting the whole season to be in the Champions League and we don’t want to throw it away. “We will do our maximum to make it as difficult as we can and of course you can win any game 2-0 and this is no different.”

Semi final FA Cup

We have received confirmation from the Football Association that the following FA Cup semi-final will be played as under:

Arsenal v Wigan Athletic FA Cup semi-final Saturday, April 12 Kick-off: 5pm Live on ITV1 Wembley Stadium

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Arsène Wenger believes Saturday's 4-1 win against Everton was the ideal way to prepare for the task Arsenal face in Munich on Tuesday.

The Gunners travel to Germany on Monday knowing they need to win by two goals or more to stand a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Wenger is adamant the Gunners still have a chance and says it was important to respond after the Premier League defeat at Stoke. What I rate is that we have a huge desire to turn this result around Arsène Wenger "I'm very proud of the players," Wenger told Arsenal Player. "For the spirit, the attitude, the desire and the relentless drive going forward, that of course is pleasing. "Our focus was spot on until the last minute and we had an inspirational win [and] a convincing one against a good team so that is even better. "We needed to respond from a very disappointing result at Stoke and from a very disappointing performance. We were at the expected level and that is what will be needed again on Tuesday night. "What I rate is that we have a huge desire to turn this result around. We have nothing to lose but let's be inspired by the type of performance we have shown, show the same attitude and put them under pressure then I think we have a chance."

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Mikel Arteta says the first goal could prey on Bayern Munich's minds on Tuesday night - provided Arsenal score it. Arsène Wenger's side take on the European champions at the Allianz Arena knowing that a two-goal win would take them into the quarter-finals of the Champions League. That scoreline is exactly what Arsenal delivered on their last visit to Munich last March and Arteta believes attack-minded Bayern could struggle if they concede first. "I'm sure the first thing their manager is going to do is show them the video of last year and warn them," Arteta told Arsenal Player. I don't think they're going to sit there waiting for us, they're going to attack with a number of players up front "Psychologically it's tricky, those ties are really tricky because if we're able to score one goal then psychologically it becomes a mind game. We can take advantage of that so we want to put the game in our favour as soon as we can and if we're able to do that the game is on. "I think that we have very similar ways to play. We both like to dictate the game, to have the ball and Bayern I don't think know how to play a different way. "I don't think they're going to sit there waiting for us, they're going to attack with a number of players up front. We need to try and do our best in attack because we have some really good players." The Champions League has eluded Arsenal so far - despite a final appearance in 2006 - and Arteta wants to make history this season. "For me it's extra special, and not just for myself," he said. "As a group last year we fought really, really hard to get that fourth spot and we showed that at the end. We don't want to throw it away. "It's very complicated what we have in front of us [in Munich]. But that's very good as well because it brings everyone's attitude and desire even higher so let's go and try to do it."

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Olivier Giroud says Arsenal must believe they can cause an upset when they take on Bayern Munich in Germany on Tuesday night.

The Gunners trail 2-0 from the first leg but beat the reigning European champions at the Allianz Arena at the same stage a year ago. Arsène Wenger’s side go into the game in confident mood after beating Everton 4-1 on Saturday, and Giroud is hoping for more of the same in Bavaria. Hopefully we can keep a clean sheet first because we need to keep our goal clean and maybe if we score early, why not? Olivier Giroud “Hopefully we can keep a clean sheet first because we need to keep our goal clean and maybe if we score early, why not?” the striker said. “We have a good chance if we believe in our quality, and if we put the same commitment in [as against Everton] and the same determination I think we have a good chance. “Bayern are a really good team so it will be a tough game, but I think we have a chance to go through.” Giroud scored a third-minute goal at the Allianz Arena last year to set up a 2-0 Arsenal victory, and he says scoring early again will be vital. “I definitely agree,” he said. “It will put them under pressure and trying to score early in the game will be one of the keys in the game. “We need to keep a clean sheet and we will need a lot of things together; to score goals, not concede goals and [to show] a really good commitment.”