Thierry Henry blames Declan Rice for Bayern Munich opener at Emirates – and highlights Arsenal star’s ‘not smart’ decision which cost Gunners dearly
- Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
- The Gunners took the lead before the Bavarians responded with two before the break.
- Arsenal must feel unbeatable…they’re going to bring more misery on Harry Kane and Bayern Munich – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off Podcast
Thierry Henry believes Declan Rice was responsible for conceding Arsenal’s opening goal in Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich.
Mikel Arteta’s side were held to a draw at the Emirates in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, with goals from Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane canceling out those from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.
The Gunners had taken the lead after Saka’s precise arrival, but were quickly caught back after a rare confusion at the back.
David Raya found himself out of position after he and Gabriel attempted to deal with a long ball, but after the Brazilian’s loose pass gave Bayern possession, Arsenal’s back line was exposed.
Henry believes that Rice, who moved forward to reduce the space left to Leroy Sané on the ball, should have held his position, which would have made it more difficult for the winger to find Leon Goretzka, who in turn made a superb passes for Gnabry. to finish.
Declan Rice has been one of Arsenal’s standout players this season, having completed a £105 million move from West Ham last summer.
Thierry Henry believes Declan Rice was at fault for Bayern’s opening match on Tuesday night
Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry returned to haunt his former club with the German club’s first match.
Gnabry’s goal and what Declan Rice should have done at that moment,” the Gunners legend told CBS Sports. “Because you are the police officer and a mistake has occurred, you must correct it.
“Most of the time he does, but he didn’t do it tonight.
“We talk about the goalkeeper coming in, we talk about the back pass, but look at the distance between the two central defenders, and I know at that moment it doesn’t look like you’re going to be in trouble.
“At that point, you can’t take the three steps he’s going to take.
“Leroy Sané was not born yesterday, you take these three steps, Goretzka sees him and runs behind because look at the gap between Gabriel and Saliba, and you have a man (Gnabry) running.
“If he (Rice) stays and sees the guys in front of him, nothing happens.
“But as you know, when you lose the ball, you tend to want to go for it (to close) because he thought it was going to be a short pass.
“But he’s (Sane) smart, he’s (Goretzka) smart, and in that respect you’re not.”
The home side then fell behind to a confident Kane penalty, but managed to equalize when substitutes Jesus and Trossard combined in the 76th minute.
Substitute Leandro Trossard leveled things up at the Emirates thanks to good work from Gabriel Jesus
In an eventful encounter, Arsenal felt they should have had a penalty in stoppage time when Manuel Neuer appeared to foul Saka in the box.
Bayern were also angered by a non-call from officials after Gabriel handled the ball in the box to take a goal kick, despite the referee blowing the whistle to start play.
