No one could quite believe it when Arsenal beat Bayern Munich on penalties
It might have been a pre-season friendly, but the Gunners are still celebrating with disbelief.
Arsenal might not be in the Champions League next season, but that didn’t stop them pulling off a remarkable victory against their old European rivals, Bayern Munich, in a penalty shoot out in Shanghai on Wednesday.
Despite being somewhat on a bogey team for the Gunners, whose last two matches against the Germans ended in disastrous 5-1 defeats and sent them crashing out of the top European competition in March, Arsene Wenger’s side managed to win the International Champions Cup.
Goalkeeper, Emi Martinez, won plaudits for stopping two Bayern penalties, following a stoppage-time equaliser from Alex Iwobi that drew the north London club level at 1-1.
But when it dawned on spectators that an English club had actually defeated a German team at penalties, a few fans had a hard time getting their heads round the feat:
Martinez told Arsenal.com: “I guess to be honest, since I was a kid, I’ve never lost on a penalty shoot-out. I keep building my luck in penalties.
“That’s what we train so hard for, extra-time. Goalkeepers always start early and finish late. The boss said that I had 20 or 25 minutes to play in this game, and I tried to do my best. It worked.
“I saved two penalties at the end and that was pretty incredible, but I think everyone played a part in this game,” he added.
“Pete [Petr Cech] made some good saves and the defence was outstanding with Nacho and Mo playing 90 minutes in these conditions. We’re really glad because we’ve had three wins, or one draw and two wins, so hopefully we keep building our game.”
More remarkably still, significant members in the Arsenal squad, including Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud were forced onto the bench, suffering from a suspected bout of food poisoning.
Wenger has since admitted it remains to be seen if the illnesses will affect his side’s start to the Premier League campaign.
But for now, they can bask in the glow of this rare and welcome victory against a formidable opponent.
Best not get used to it.
