Arsenal shock Bayern in ICC opener

It would have been hard to forget the embarrasing exit from the Champions League Round of 16 that Bayern Munich inflicted on Arsenal just a few months ago. With both legs finishing 5-1, the tie would have been fresh in the minds of the Arsenal players as they walked out into the 33 degree heat in China. 

Bayern were all over Arsenal in the first-half, dominating possesion and keeping Arsenal penned back in their own half. In the early stages of the game, Ribery was having a lot of success on the left hand side, with Arsenal youngsters Maitland-Niles and Bielik struggling to contain the winger. In the 9th minute Bayern earned a penalty when Bernat was brought down in the box by Maitland-Niles. Lewandowski produced a superb penalty into the top right corner, giving Arsenal goalkeeper Cech no chance.

Arsenal were lucky not to be 2 goals down after 23 minutes. Muller beautifly cushioned a header into the path of Tolisso who calmly slotted past Cech, but the goal was deemed offside. Replays showed that this was not the case and Arsenal were given a huge let off. Bayern continued to attack and there were big opportunities for new signing James Rodriguez to get on the score sheet.

With Arsenal happy to sit off and break on the counter, the Gunners had to wait patiently for their chances. The first came from a delightful over the top ball played by Welbeck to find Ozil just inside the box, who decided to take it on the volley. The German connected well but shot straight at Starke. The second chance came on the half hour mark and should have been converted by new signing Lacazette. Ozil with the through ball this time, was collected by the Frech striker as he found himslef one on one with the Bayern goalkeeper. Lacazette produced a powerful low shot but Starke did well to get down to his left and push the ball out for a corner. 

With Bayern continuing to push Arsenal back, the Gunners welcomed the half time break. Both teams made a handful of substitutions to begin the second half, the more noticable being a tactical change by Wenger, swithing from a back a three to a back four. 

Bayern started the second half on the front foot again with substitute Kingsley Coman's delivery from the right narrowly missing the outstreched foot of Lewandowski. More substitutions came from both sides and the game slowly began to even out. 

Arsenal grabbed their equaliser on the break in the 93rd minute. Ramsey played a perfect ball in from the left for Iwobi to run onto and head into the bottom left corner from 12 yards.

The Gunners went on to win the penalty shoot out 3-2, with Martinez making the decisive save from Bernat's penalty. Bayern will be wondering how they didn't win this game, but it allows Arsenal to move forward having won all 3 of their pre-season matches.