It has come down to a straight shootout, similar to five rounds of penalties, the equation plain yet loaded with complications. Score or miss. With Manchester City otherwise engaged in an FA Cup semi-final, it was Arsenal who took first.
For them, the metaphorical walk to the spot, the moment of truth, began in the aftermath of last Sunday’s defeat at City. It was long and treacherous, the self-doubt gnawing away, the outside noise at fever pitch. Score or miss. With a draw very much into the latter category. Arsenal scored.
Mikel Arteta's verdict
We got the result we wanted and we are very happy.
[On the tension at the end] They made five subs and it felt like they made ten subs! The margins are very short.
We had so much discipline, courage and great habits defensively, but there are moments with the ball when we have to do much better. We want to be more dominant.
[On the short corners that led to the goal] When you look at the physical they have, we believed it was a big opportunity for us to exploit.
[On Eze’s finish] You can do anything but the ball has to arrive to the right player in the right position.
[On Nick Pope’s foul on Gyokeres] There was a really debatable non red card for the second time in two games because against City we should have played against 10 men when it was 1-1. I just watched it back and for me it’s clear.
One down, four to go. And now we have to go to Madrid!
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