🚨🚨Breaking: “I cannot believe that wasn’t given. That’s a clear penalty. I have my hands on top of my head. I’m in disbelief.” – Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta in disbelief over surprising mistake made by The Referee during the Arsenal Vs Bayern Munich match after not awarding penalty to Arsenal after Bukayo Saka was fouled. This can’t be accepted, Fifa needs to do something about this

The quarter-finals of the Champions League kicked off with two massive clashes: Real Madrid versus Manchester City and Arsenal against Bayern Munich.

The night showcased exceptional football, reminding fans of the magic of the Champions League, despite recent criticism of the competition and European football’s condition following a lackluster round of 16. The first set of quarter-finals enthralled viewers with intense action.

Featuring four top-tier teams, the matches resulted in two draws, witnessing a total of 10 goals and absolute chaos on the field. The removal of the away goals rule, initially met with mourning, has brought a positive change. Home teams now approach games with less fear of conceding and adopt an attacking mindset from the outset.

Both Premier League representatives, Arsenal and Manchester City, began the games aggressively, met with formidable responses from the traditional powerhouses, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. The matches unfolded with teams exchanging blows throughout the thrilling 90 minutes in London and Madrid, setting the stage for next week’s fixtures, promising even more gripping encounters.

Despite Bayern Munich’s formidable reputation and their European pedigree, Arsenal seemed to have an advantage on paper, given their strong domestic form. Bayern’s six titles and record 22 quarter-final appearances underscored their resilience. Key players like Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Alphonso Davies, and Serge Gnabry exhibited their championship-winning experience, particularly Goretzka’s standout performance and Gnabry’s crucial equalizing goal.

In contrast, Arsenal, despite their impressive form in the Premier League, have a squad and manager with limited Champions League experience. For many, including manager Arteta and most of the squad, this season marks their debut in the competition. While players like Jorginho and Kai Havertz of Chelsea have won the trophy in 2021, Arsenal’s squad remains relatively young and inexperienced.

Leandro Trossard’s crucial goal has provided Arsenal with a significant morale boost heading into the return leg. Bayern Munich, however, will approach the fixture at the Allianz Arena with quiet confidence, relying on their track record and experience to potentially tip the scales in their favor.