Why Arsenal may be the big winners from PSG vs Bayern thriller | OneFootball

A record-breaking Champions League semi-final leg thrilled the masses, but perhaps not all the players

Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich played out a Champions League classic on Thursday night, but the biggest winners could have been Arsenal.

The two European elites shared nine goals in a record-breaking semi-final first leg, in what some onlookers have described a throwback to bygone age or an antidote to modern football.

There was no sign of celebrating the winning of a corner, lining up for a long throw or any set-piece trickery, rather just two teams throwing hammer and tong at their opponent to see who came out on top.

Alan Shearer, on co-commentary duty for Amazon Prime, was giddy at what was unfolding before him.

"I can't stop smiling at how open and bonkers this game is,” he said on air. "It's one of the greatest games I've ever been to.

“Two teams that believe in their own ability to outscore their opponent."

But that's not to say everyone would have been happy in the dressing rooms after the game.

"Ask the goalkeepers if they’re happy.”

Amazon Prime

"Ask the goalkeepers if they’re happy," three-time Champions League winner Clarence Seedorf told Amazon Prime.

"They are not happy, a clean sheet was always sacred for goalkeepers."

While PSG and Bayern no doubt entertained the masses - it has been described in some quarters as the greatest match in many a year - shipping four or five goals after effectively half-time of a tie is no way to advance.

Arsenal have been much-maligned this season for a dour approach, seemingly favouring bullying opposition at corners to earn marginal gains, rigidly following a gameplan rather than expressing much in the way of attacking freedom.

But it's brought results.

Ousmane Dembele celebrates scoring his second goal

Getty

Arsenal remain favourites to win the Premier League and have seen there their odds of winning the Champions League shorten with some bookmakers since full-time in Paris.

"We have seen a team like Arsenal making that difference this year, having so many clean sheets and coming all the way," Seedorf contined.

"So if I had to point out one team now, that would be capable to actually bring it home because of that capacity, actually it’s Arsenal."

Bayern star Harry Kane praised his team’s defence, despite conceding five goals, which prompted criticism from Wayne Rooney on Amazon Prime.

"I love Harry Kane but there is no way he can be praising his defenders,” he insisted. “The defending from both teams was really bad, I think he is being modest there."

PSG will now head to Germany looking to get the job done, and but head coach Luis Enrique was keen to revel in the first-leg win.

Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot

Getty

"It was amazing. I think it was the best match I have ever managed as a coach," he said.

"It had amazing rhythm, trying to play offensive football, trying to show their quality. I think everybody had fun watching the match. I'm happy because we won."

Bayern counterpart Vincent Kompany believes those talents of those on show in the French capital meant the players had no choice but to attack.

He told reporters: "We suffered but we were dangerous. Five goals away from home in the Champions League normally means you're out but the chances we had, made us believe.

"I've seen a lot of good defending today but the game is such fine margins, you either go full into the battles, or retreat fully. The in-between doesn't work against that level of players."

Arsenal take on Atletico Madrid this evening in the first leg of the second Champions League semi-final.