Champions League

GABRIEL JESUS left Matthijs de Ligt on the floor as he sent him for a Bratwurst before setting up Leandro Trossard to score.The Arsenal substitutes combined to equalise against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.Gabriel Jesus left Matthijs de Ligt on the floor before setting up Arsenal’s equaliserCredit: TNT SportsJesus’ silky footwork helped create space inside the penalty area before he teed up Trossard.The Belgian then kept his cool to slot the ball beyond Manuel Neuer into the far corner.However, Jesus’ assist did not come before he had hoodwinked De Ligt.The Bayern defender could only look on after sliding to the floor in a bid to stop Jesus.READ MORE ON ARSENALInstead, though, the Brazilian feinted to shoot before knocked the ball to his left and passing to Trossard.Fans were quick to poke fun at the ex-Spurs man on social media, with one writing: “Jesus sent him for a hot dog.”Another added: “Gabriel Jesus just exposed De Ligt.”A third supporter also commented: “That is outrageous from Jesus.”Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMeanwhile, one more joked: “Jesus cooked him.”Jesus’ introduction helped rescue a draw for the Gunners in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium.Surprised it wasn’t a penalty, says HalseyBy Mark Halsey
SOME will say that Bukayo Saka initiated the contact, but Manuel Neuer stuck out his leg.
I was surprised Glenn Nyberg did not award Arsenal a penalty in real time at the end.
Bayern Munich could have no complaints if it was given, they got away with one.
Munich were very lucky.
It is subjective, so maybe that is why VAR did not get involved.
Had it been given, the decision would not have changed.

Arsenal’s ‘brilliant’ secret weapon is key to Gunners shattering Premier League set piece recordMikel Arteta introduced the striker alongside Trossard after 67 minutes, with Jorginho and Gabriel Martinelli making way.It took them just nine minutes to combine for the equaliser, with De Ligt and Dier helpless to prevent them.England international Dier joined fellow ex-Spurs star Harry Kane in Germany during the January transfer window.He has made 12 appearances for Bayern since his loan move, which will become a permanent transfer in the summer when his Tottenham contract expires. More

IT was anything but perfect and Arsenal still have a hell of a lot of work to do.But on a night which threatened to go horribly wrong, Mikel Arteta and his team gave themselves a chance of squeezing through to the semi-finals – despite Bukayo Saka being denied a late penalty.Leandro Trossard celebrates his crucial equaliserCredit: ReutersHarry Kane returned to North London to haunt Arsenal once againCredit: GettyBukayo Saka was convinced that he should have had a penaltyCredit: AlamyBecause when Harry Kane put his team 2-1 up it was all going to plan for Bayern until Leandro Trossard struck in the 76th minute.Kane is maybe lucky that he will be able to feature in next week’s second leg as he avoided a red card with a forearm smash to the face of Gabriel Magalhaes.While Saka was certain that he should have had a penalty in the final minute of stoppage time, when he collided with Manuel Neuer in the box.Bayern, surprisingly given their dodgy recent form, clawed their way back into the tie with goals from two players familiar with this part of London.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFormer Arsenal forward Serge Gnabry equalised after a mix-up in the Arsenal defence and then came the least surprising moment of the night when Kane struck.Along with ex-Tottenham defender Eric Dier, the England captain was jeered with every touch of the ball so he would have absolutely loved the moment he rolled a first half penalty past David Raya.Having scored 14 goals in 19 North London derbies, it was utterly inevitable that Kane would score.Even though Bayern have suffered a disappointing season and are 16 points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, you can only wonder where they would be without the goals of Kane.Most read in Champions LeagueThis was his 39th goal in 38 games since making the move to Bavaria and he will be hopeful of increasing that tally next week.As for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta will need one hell of a performance next Wednesday. Thanks to Trossard, they are certainly not out of it.Arsenal fans trolled over ‘terrifying hostility’ as video of Harry Kane and Eric Dier arriving at Emirates emerges Arsenal have been outstanding this season but here, they were punished for making some silly mistakes which were completely out of character.One of the main culprits in the first half, left-back Jakub Kiwior, could have few complaints over being substituted at the break.Despite it being such a huge game, the atmosphere was extremely strange purely because there were no Bayern fans allowed inside the stadium. This was Uefa’s punishment for their fans lobbing flares onto the pitch in away games against FC Copenhagen and Lazio this season.Mind you, the extra 3000 or so Arsenal fans who were able to sit in the area normally reserved for away fans were certainly not complaining as this was their first quarter-final for 14 years.Arteta opted for pace in his starting XI which meant Gabriel Martinelli was preferred to Gabriel Jesus.And it was Martinelli who had the first chance although his shot from outside the area flashed past Manuel Neuer’s left post.Saka created that chance and soon after, he was kicked to the ground by left-back Alphonso Davies who is now suspended for the return leg in Munich.Trossard slotted home Arsenal’s levellerCredit: AFPThe striker slotted his penalty beyond David RayaCredit: GettyBayern boss Thomas Tuchel was furious with Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg for brandishing a yellow card inside the first 10 minutes as it was a first offence.And Tuchel had only just finished his moaning at the fourth official when his team conceded to darken his mood further.Davies, again, struggled to cope with Saka and was caught out of position. When Saka received a simple pass from Ben White, the England forward bent an effort around Dier and into the bottom left corner.White, of all people, found himself in a terrific position to make it 2-1 but he hammered the effort straight at Neuer.Arteta’s players had not put a foot wrong until Gabriel played a poor pass to Kiwior and Bayern seized possession.Leon Goretzka slipped a pass to Gnabry and from around the penalty spot, he struck a shot throughout Raya’s leg for the equaliser.It certainly felt odd that a goal of such importance was met with virtual silence and you could once again hear a pin drop when, 14 minutes later, Kane sent Raya completely the wrong way from the penalty spot for 2-1.Arsenal really could not have any arguments over the penalty. Sane, having torn past the struggling Kiwior, was clattered into by William Saliba.Serge Gnabry equalised for the Bundesliga giantsCredit: GettyGnabry celebrated against his former sideCredit: GettyWeirdly, a huge number of Arsenal fans got up and went for a loo break rather than watch Kane take a penalty although they knew exactly what was coming.At no stage did Kane ever look like missing and the outcome was as expected with Bayern’s No9 easily scoring past Raya and then thoroughly enjoying his celebration in front of the home fans .Arsenal were in danger of falling to pieces and only a stunning tackle from White stopped Sane from adding a third.For much of the second half, Bayern held firm and protected their lead. Kane got away with his challenge on Gabriel and had a shot deflected for a corner.Surprised it wasn’t a penalty, says HalseyBy Mark Halsey
SOME will say that Bukayo Saka initiated the contact, but Manuel Neuer stuck out his leg.
I was surprised Glenn Nyberg did not award Arsenal a penalty in real time at the end.
Bayern Munich could have no complaints if it was given, they got away with one.
Munich were very lucky.
It is subjective, so maybe that is why VAR did not get involved.
Had it been given, the decision would not have changed.

Despite introducing Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal struggled to test the visiting defence.And then finally, they were rewarded for being patient and not panicking. After receiving the ball from Saka, Jesus took out three Bayern players and teed the ball up for Trossard to score although Neuer should have done better.So at least Trossard and his team left the pitch knowing they still have a chance of, maybe, returning to Wembley for the final on June 1.It could have been much better for them, however, had Saka been awarded a spot kick at the death.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe England international raced onto Thomas Partey’s pass before rounding Neuer.Saka subsequently went down in a heap, but was denied a penalty after appearing to kick his leg into the German stopper.Bukayo Saka had gotten Arsenal off to a perfect startCredit: GettySaka celebrates his 12th minute strikeCredit: GettyHarry Kane left Gabriel crumpled in a heapCredit: Reuters More

ERLING HAALAND was SLAPPED in the face by the referee at half-time in Manchester City’s thriller with Real Madrid.The striker was left fuming with French official Francois Letexier during Tuesday’s thrilling 3-3 draw in Spain.Erling Haaland was slapped in the face by referee Francois LetexierCredit: TNT SportsThe Manchester City was left fuming as the official apologised to himCredit: TNT SportsLetexier accidentally caught Haaland in the face with the back of his hand as he walked off the pitch.The incident occurred after the half-time whistle at the Santiago Bernabeu.Haaland threw his hands up in the air in response as he turned around to look at the referee, who put his hands on him to apologise and check if he was ok.Letexier had been gesturing while he dealt with protests from Real Madrid full-back Dani Carvajal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans were quick to react to the incident on social media, with one commenting: “The referee slaps Haaland to see if he wakes up in the second half.”Another added: “Ref couldn’t see him as he ghosted all half.”A third supporter also joked: “Wake up call from the referee.”Meanwhile, one more wrote: “He didn’t see Haaland was on the pitch.”Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHaaland had endured a difficult first half in the Spanish capital as he managed just four passes.He was also only able to muster a single shot on goal, which was saved by Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.Erling Haaland’s model girlfriend Isabel steals show at Champions League draw as cameras pan to her in crowdDespite Haaland’s struggles, City took an early lead on Tuesday night through Bernardo Silva’s freak goal.However, two goals in two minutes from the hosts completed a dramatic first half turnaround.An own goal from Ruben Dias levelled the score before Rodrygo put Los Blancos in front.Phil Foden pulled the treble winners level after the break, though, with a stunning strike from outside the box.City then completed their own turnaround as Josko Gvardiol restored their advantage.That lead lasted just eight minutes before Federico Valverde made it 3-3 to leave the tie in the balance going into the second leg. More

DAVID RAYA has been slammed by Arsenal fans for his role in Bayern Munich’s equaliser.Arsenal had gotten off to a perfect start, with Bukayo Saka putting them a goal up on 12 minutes.David Raya bizarrely came rushing off his lineCredit: TNT SportsGabriel was forced to rush his clearanceCredit: TNT SportsBayern sprung a swift attack that had Arsenal panickingCredit: TNT SportsGnabry slotted past Raya from close rangeCredit: GettyBut Bayern hit back just six minutes later, following calamitous defending by the home side.When Bayern hit a speculative ball forward, there didn’t appear to be much danger on.But rather than let Gabriel deal with it, Raya put doubt in his team-mate by coming rushing off his line.The Brazilian subsequently gave the ball away, allowing Bayern to spring an attack.READ MORE ON ARSENALLeon Goretzka slipped the ball through to Arsenal old boy Gnabry.And the German stayed cool to beat Raya one-on-one, with fans left reeling.One moaned on social media: “David Raya, what are you doing? Comes out completely unnecessarily.”While a second fumed: “Raya committed way too much. Unnecessary.”Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERA third whined: “Raya man, let Gabriel deal with it.”And another added: “Bro why was Raya playing up in midfield.”Gary Lineker says ‘it’s written in the stars’ as MOTD presenter predicts Premier League winnersPundit Martin Keown went on to claim that Raya looked “panicky” during the first-half.Other fans were frustrated with Ben White, who had wasted a golden opportunity to make it 2-0.One tweeted: “That Ben White miss has me full of regrets.”While a second commented: “Ben White sitter missed will haunt this hall of fame performance.”Another added: “Ben White miss looks costly now.”Things soon got worse for Arsenal, when they were haunted by one of their greatest former foes.After Leroy Sane was brought down by William Saliba in the box just after the hour mark, Harry Kane was given an opportunity to haunt the Gunners once again.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe former Tottenham man made no mistake, slotting the ball into the net to put Bayern 2-1 up.Ben White wasted a golden opportunityCredit: GettyHarry Kane came back to haunt Arsenal once againCredit: Getty More