Arsenal drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie yesterday, in a dramatic game at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have reached the quarters for the first time since 2010, and a clash with familiar opponents in Bayern Munich made this one of the most highly anticipated matches at Arsenal in years.
Bayern’s recent form meant that Mikel Arteta’s high-flyers were the favourites for the tie, but they found themselves struggling against the six-time winners at times, and were shellshocked heading into half time behind having been leading.
The sold-out Emirates Stadium should have had a raucous atmosphere throughout as seen in previous European knockout games, particularly as Bayern Munich fans were banned by UEFA, but whilst there were periods where the noise was deafening, the atmosphere was underwhelming overall.
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Speaking to CBS Sports after the game, reporter Geoff Shreeves highlighted how the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium was flat, and this may have been as a result of no Bayern fans being allowed in.
“Do you know what? I think the atmosphere actually cost them in the first place because there were no Bayern fans here,” he stated.
“The atmosphere was flat. There wasn’t those opposing fans to feed off, you usually get a little bit of noise and the fact that home fans would outnumber them but it just didn’t happen.”
What was the atmosphere like at the Emirates for Arsenal vs Bayern Munich?
From my view from the East Stand at the Emirates Stadium, the atmosphere was underwhelming given the occasion, and compared to other big games this season.
It started off loud, and when Bukayo Saka scored early on the noise was deafening. However, Arsenal’s first half performance, which saw them sacrifice the lead in an embarrassing fashion, ultimately reduced the buzz around the ground, particularly after Harry Kane scored.
The lack of away fans meant that there were periods of quiet during the game, without the visiting support to create a spark or goad the home support into raising the noise.
There was a spark in the second half as Arsenal attacked more, and Leandro Trossard’s goal sparked scenes of wild celebration, but the game ended with boos ringing around, directed at the referee rather than Arteta’s side, after Saka was denied a last-minute penalty.
A full stadium fan display was seen in Real Madrid’s Champions League tie with Manchester City last night, but there was no such display at the Emirates, as it recently emerged that Arsenal rejected proposals from fan groups to organise one, much to the frustration of supporters, and overall it felt like a night where there were missed opportunities both on and off the pitch.
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