For so long this looked like it would be a frustrating night for Arsenal, but they are alive and kicking in this Women’s Champions League quarter-final.
On the balance of play, Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall will perhaps be disappointed his side are only heading to Wolfsburg next week with the tie level.
Arsenal had enough chances to win this game at Emirates Stadium, let alone draw it, but instead they needed a 89th-minute equaliser from Lotte Wubben-Moy to claim a 1-1 draw.
Before that, it had looked like being a frustrating night for Arsenal and seemingly one to forget for Wubben-Moy, who was at fault for Wolfsburg’s opener.
The defender gave the ball away on the edge of her box and Wolfsburg pounced, with Joelle Wedemeyer eventually crossing and Tabea Waßmuth heading home.
Other than that, Wolfsburg were disciplined and solid, happy to sit back and defend ahead of next week’s second leg in Germany.
They carried a threat on the counter, hitting the post twice in the space of a minute in the second-half, but largely spent their time keeping Arsenal out.
The Germans did that well and this was a reminder to the Gunners about the ruthless nature of the Champions League when it gets to this stage. They made one mistake and were punished for it.
Eidevall’s side had chances to make up for it, though, and right from the start they carried a threat going forward.
Beth Mead was getting plenty of joy put wide, but the final pass or shot was just lacking whenever Arsenal opened Wolfsburg up.
Wolfsburg were not so wasteful. When Wubben-Moy made a loose pass on the edge of the area they pounced, and Waßmuth’s goal put them ahead inside 20 minutes.
Arsenal continued to enjoy the majority of possession, however, and after the break they really should have gone level.Stina Blackstenius and Vivianne Miedema both failed to score when balls were flashed across the box and that summed up Arsenal’s night. So near, yet so far.
Wolfsburg still looked threatening on the counter as well and Waßmuth almost grabbed a second, but struck the post. Moments later Jill Roord had the chance to haunt her old club, but the woodwork denied her too.
Arsenal were equally frustrated, but they finally got their equaliser just one minute before the end.
Tobin Heath fired in a free-kick and it fell to Wubben-Moy, who lashed the ball home.
A breakthrough for Arsenal, at last, and they should head to Germany next week believing they can make the semi-finals.
