Arsenal U19s all but confirmed their place in the knockout phase of the UEFA Youth League as Ismael Bennacer’s first Arsenal goal gave them a 1-1 draw in Germany.
With Alex Iwobi called up to the first team, Daniel Crowley returned to the starting eleven after his loan spell at Barnsley was cut short to play on the right-hand side. The return of Christopher Willock and Kaylen Hinds from the U17 World Cup meant that Donyell Malen was dropped to the bench and Reiss Nelson was moved into a central position behind Hinds. Meanwhile, Jordi Osei-Tutu made his European debut at right-back.
Before this game, Bayern Munich were yet to pick up a point in the group but took the lead after just 11 minutes when Fabian Benko picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and found the net via the inside of the post. The goal scorer could then have doubled his tally when he went clean through against Hugo Keto, but the Finnish goalkeeper came out on top with a fine save.
Keto made two more good saves in the first half to keep Arsenal in the game, and before half time those saves proved crucial as Arsenal equalised. Crowley’s pass was cleared only as far as Bennacer, who beat his man and smashed the ball into the top corner of the net for his first Gunner’s goal.
Arsenal were given a gilt-edged chance to go in front just before the interval when the lively Nelson was tripped in the penalty area. However, Ben Sheaf, usually a reliable penalty taker, could only fire well over and let Bayern off the hook.
Midfielder Marcus Tabi and forward Donyell Malen both came on at half time, and the latter nearly added to his hat-trick for the U18s on Saturday but his half-volley was just wide. Arsenal came close again later when Bennacer’s free-kick was spilled by Bayern goalkeeper David Hundertmark but centre-back Stefan O’Connor’s shot was cleared off the line by Alexander Gschwend.
Despite Arsenal’s pressure, it looked like Bayern would win it as Marco Friedl’s half-volley looked destined for the top corner of the net but the excellent Keto made a superb save to deny him and secure Arsenal’s point.
Arsenal are now six points clear of 3rd placed Olympiacos with just two fixtures remaining. Therefore, just a point at home to Dinamo Zagreb in their next fixture (or if Olympiacos fail to win against Bayern Munich) will see them into the last 16.
