Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich in Valentine’s season is apt beyond hilarity. The Premier League side and the Bundesliga giants have played each other in three out of the last four UEFA Champions League seasons and it came as a bittersweet shock to most fans of either side because games between these two have been unpredictable to the core in recent seasons.
But the Bavarians have had the lion’s share of success having beaten Arsene Wenger’s side three out of the last six fixtures: and inadvertently progressing in the competition while Arsenal often put in decent performances away from home to only get that close to breaking the curse but never doing it.
Every season, however, has its share of drama. With key personnel missing for Bayern Munich this season and Arsenal’s ‘underdog’ flag flying high and proud, we could be in for some proper football. The North London club have, however, produced some incredible performances in the past in this competition and will hope they can recreate a similar to one finally break the curse:
#5 Real Madrid 0 – 1 Arsenal (2006)
Perhaps Arsenal’s greatest ever UEFA Champions League run came was put to the test when they travelled to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on an in-form Real Madrid side full of ‘galacticos’, confidence and the mentality.
But a few minutes into the second half, Thierry Henry showed the world just why he was one of the best ever players in Europe. Having won the ball in midfield, the French international sprinted past the midfield and a defiant Sergio Ramos. And then when the moment arrived, he tucked away the chance past Iker Casillas to give Arsenal an unlikely 1-0 lead at the Bernabeu.
After ending Real Madrid’s cup run, the team famously went on to the finals of the competition where they lost to Barcelona with Jens Lehmann seeing a red card in the opening minutes of the game.
#4 AC Milan 0 – 3 Arsenal (2012)
Perhaps the most frustrating second half of UEFA Champions League football Arsenal fans will remember from recent years is their game against an in-form AC Milan at San Siro. After losing the first leg 0-4 at hom at the Emirates, very few predicted the Gunners to put up a fight like they did on that night- only to come inches short. With the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Stephan El Shaarawy and Thiago Silva all in their prime, Arsenal put in a performance that silenced the Milanese stadium unlike any other that season.
Laurent Koscielny started the goalscoring in the 6th minute before Tomas Rosicky side-footed an effort past Christian Abbiati in the 26th minute and it all started looking great for Arsenal when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought down in the box and the Gunners were offered a penalty. Robin van Persie sent Abbiati the wrong way and Arsenal ended the first half having completed 75% of the comeback.
All that was needed was another goal to level things but when Van Persie had the chance to do so, Abbiati stood strong and held his side in the game. Not even Thiery Henry – who was on loan with the Gunners at the time – could help them achieve the impossible. Nonetheless, it was a performance to behold.
#3 Inter Milan 1 – 5 Arsenal (2003)
Deep into their campaign having gone through the Premier League without losing a single game, the Gunners were smashed 3-0 at home by Inter Milan. And when they travelled to the San Siro knowing they had an improbable chance of making it to the next round.
Thierry Henry opened the scoring for the North London club before Christian Vieri gave Inter Milan an aggregate 4-1 lead going into the half. Everything looked down and out even after Arsenal scored their second of the night in the 49th minute thanks to Freddie Ljungberg but three goals in the space of four minutes turned the game on its head and sent Arsenal through to the next round.
It started with Henry scoring his second in the 85th minute, Edu scoring his first in the 88th and Robert Pires scoring his only one on the night in the 89th. Inter Milan were shellshocked with the way Arsenal had responded and could do nothing about the attacking juggernaut that was Arsene Wenger’s men.
#2 Arsenal 2 – 1 Barcelona (2011)
Perhaps one of Arsenal’s most famous victories in recent seasons in all competitions is their 2-1 win over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. Under Pep Guardiola and in the prime of their passing, decisive best, Arsenal out Barcelona-d the away team and won the game thanks to goals from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin.
Barcelona took the anticipated lead in the first half with David Villa scoring in the 26th minute. But with breathtaking performances for Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and particularly a then-19-year-old Jack Wilshere, Arsenal scored two goals in the span of five minutes to run out winners in the end.
With Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Pedro all in their prime, the underdogs brought alive the Emirates unlike any other match in its short history of existence. Ultimately, however, Barcelona won the tie beating the Gunners 3-1 at the Camp Nou two weeks later but the performance at the Emirates is still remembered by many as one of Arsenal’s best ever.
#1 Bayern Munich 0 – 2 Arsenal (2013)
The most befitting recent victory in the UEFA Champions League for the North London giants is when they beat Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Allianz Arena – almost matching the reverse scoreline having lost 3-0 to the Bavarians at the Emirates in the first leg.
Olivier Giroud started the scoring in the 3rd minute and while the Gunners did threaten the entire game, were only able to get a second goal in the 86th minute thanks to Laurent Koscielny. Jupp Heynckes’s men held on for the win that night and went to lift the trophy beating Chelsea in the final.
Their start in that game was a reminder that they’re able to produce results when there’s nothing more to lose. And tonight, when they take on the Bavarian giants again, they’ll hope the underdog tag works in their favour as they try and get some revenge.
