Arsenal 2-0 Bayern Munich (2-1 on aggregate): Frida Maanum and Stina Blackstenius strikes send Gunners into semis

Arsenal beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Champions League quarter-final second leg to overturn a one-goal deficit and advance to the last four for the first time since 2013.

The Gunners were dealt a blow when captain Kim Little was forced off after eight minutes, but Frida Maanum soon fired Arsenal ahead with a perfectly executed 20-yard strike.

Minutes later, Stina Blackstenius doubled Arsenal’s lead with a close-range header.

Arsenal will face either Wolfsburg or PSG in the semi-finals, who play their second leg match on Thursday night, with Wolsfburg leading 1-0 on aggregate.

Arsenal were going into the game at Emirates unbeaten in seven at home, while the visitors boasted a 13-match winning run.

Jonas Eidevall’s side were unfortunate to see Little forced off so early after a clash with Sarah Zadrazil on the halfway line, as the Gunners’ captain looked to break through on goal.

But the disappointment soon faded away as Arsenal, who went into the game 1-0 down on aggregate, scored a quick-fire first-half double to turn the tie on its head.

Maanum scored a sensational goal to put Arsenal ahead, using Leah Williamson’s clever flick on the edge of the box to set herself up for a strike that flew into the far top corner.

Soon after, a lively Blackstenius put Arsenal ahead in the tie when she nodded home Katie McCabe’s brilliant dinked cross from close range.

Eidevall’s team went on to dominate the first half and probably should have done more damage to Bayern.

Visiting goalkeeper Maria Grohs made a fantastic stop with her leg to deny Blackstenius from yards out, before substitute Lotte Wubben-Moy clipped the bar with a cross.

It was much of the same at the beginning of the second-half, before the tie began to shift in Bayern’s favour.

McCabe and Caitlin Foord both missed big chances to put Arsenal three goals ahead, but a relatively poor Bayern couldn’t threaten Manuela Zinsberger’s goal, as the Gunners held on for an historic win.

TALKING POINT – ARSENAL ON THEIR WAY TO EUROPEAN GLORY?

Despite dominating England for years throughout the 90s and 00s, Arsenal only managed to notch one European title, which came in the 2006-07 season. With clubs across the continent catching up over the last decade and matching the ability of the Arsenal side that saw them win nine titles in ten years between 2000 and 2010, the Gunners may feel as if they should have done more in Europe during that time.

They’re fourth in the WSL, with a game in hand that could take them above Manchester United and into first place, but after tonight’s result that has seen them reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2013, they’ll feel this is a big chance to go all the way once more.

Qualifying for Champions League football via the league route is up in the air with Arsenal – who are currently one place outside – Chelsea, Manchester City and Man Utd all in hot pursuit of a place in the top three. Winning the competition could be another route for Arsenal to reach Europe’s elite next year.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – KATIE MCCABE (ARSENAL)

She started the match at left-back, but you’d never have thought it with her attacking influence throughout the game. She came close to putting the ball in the net twice, once after taking on three Bayern defenders in the box, but it just wasn’t to be for her in front of goal on the night.

However, she did set-up the second goal by clipping a delicious cross for Blackstenius to convert from close-range, and gave Rall a torrid time at right-back for Bayern.

MATCH RATINGS

ARSENAL: Zinsberger 7, Maritz 8, Williamson 8, Rafaelle 7, McCabe 9, Little N/A, Maanum 8, Walti 7, Pelova 6, Blackstenius 8, Foord 7

Subs: Wubben-Moy 6, Beattie N/A, Wienroither 6, Hurtig N/A

BAYERN MUNICH: Grohs 6, Rall 6, Viggosdottir 7, Kumagai 6, Hansen 7, Stanway 7, Zadrazil 7, Magull 6, Buhl 6, Schuller 6, Kett 6

Subs: Lohmann 7, Vilhjalmsdottir N/A, Damnjanovic 6, Laurent 6, Rudelic N/A

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

20’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 BAYERN MUNICH (MAANUM) – AGG 1-1: It’s neat one-touch football from Arsenal on the edge of the box as they build-up to the goal, before Williamson sets up Maanum 25 yards from the target, who rifles the ball into the far top corner! What a finish.

26’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 2-0 BAYERN MUNICH (BLACKSTENIUS) – AGG 2-1: Arsenal make it two! Kate McCabe drives down the left hand side and dinks in a brilliant cross for Stina Blackstenius to head home from close range! What a start for the Gunners.

31’ – HUGE CHANCE ARSENAL! Caitlin Foord delivers an inviting ball towards Williamson at the back post, who sneaks behind a struggling Tuva Hansen, before heading over from close range. It was almost identical to their second goal.

40’ – BIG SAVE! Grohs uses her leg at close-range to stop Blackstenius’ shot for what looked like a certain Arsenal goal, and then Maanum’s effort from the rebound is cleared off the line!

60’ – BIG CHANCE FOR BAYERN! Klara Buhl cuts inside on her left foot before unleashing a shot, which is blocked and turned behind by Wubben-Moy.

63’ – MCCABE COMES SO CLOSE TO AN ARSENAL THIRD! After another dangerous run down the left, McCabe cuts inside and takes on three players before sending her shot agonisingly wide at the near post.

73’ – IT’S A BIG, BIG MISS FROM FOORD! Maanum slips the ball left to the on-running Foord, who is too relaxed about her one-on-one effort which she lifts over the bar.

KEY STAT

• Arsenal have reached the last four in Europe for the first time since 2013.