Arsenal make a stunning 2-2 comeback against Wolfsburg in Champions League semi-final first leg with a depleted squad.

• Arsenal fight back from 2-0 deficit to secure a 2-2 draw against Wolfsburg
• Depleted squad shows resilience and courage under pressure
• Strong individual and collective effort sets stage for second leg at Emirates Stadium

The Arsenal fought back from 2-0 down to register a fantastic 2-2 draw away to Wolfsburg in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

With a depleted squad missing many experienced players, Jonas Eidevall went for a 3-4-3 system offering balance and bringing Jennifer Beattie at the heart of the defence.

This was indeed an excellent choice as the Scottish defender was named player of the match:

https://twitter.com/UWCL/status/1650163652002041858

The starting XI was: Zinsberger; Wubben-Moy, Beattie, Rafaelle; Maritz, Maanum, Wäti, Catley; Pelova, Blackstenius, McCabe.

With limited options available on the bench, the Arsenal manager only used two subs during the game: Wienroither for Catley and Kühl for Pelova, who had a fantastic game.

https://twitter.com/ameeruszkai/status/1650167524707713024

To be fair, the whole Arsenal front three were superb overall:

Arsenal's attackers vs Wolfsburg | #UWCL SF 2022-23 1st leg

With all the injuries to the players, Arsenal needed a special effort from everyone, especially off-the-ball & the forwards understood the assignment.

Stina's workrate, Pelova's positioning (narrow & deep). It worked. pic.twitter.com/2Y5tW6ZHb1

— Yash (@Odriozolite) April 23, 2023

Arsenal controlled the game very well for the first fifteen minutes, the team being well in place and not conceding clear chances.

Then they fell asleep from a long diagonal ball to Jonsdottir who went around past two defenders and put a through to Pajor, who was free from the rest of the Arsenal defence who were ball-watching for the 1-0 after 19 minutes.

Five minutes later, Arsenal conceded a second goal; a misunderstanding between Rafaelle and Beattie left Jonsdottir with an open goal, and the Icelandic forward took advantage of the gift.

Curiously enough, it should not have been a goal kick for Arsenal but a free-kick higher up the pitch for an offside that the refereeing team did not give.

Small error, big consequences.

At that moment in the game, Arsenal came under a lot of pressure and could have crumbled. But that team is resilient and courageous and fought back against adversity.

They created their first big chance of the game just before half-time with a powerful Maanum shot deflected by Forhms into a corner kick.

From the corner, Catley floated a quality ball towards the back post that Rafaelle headed in for the 2-1 45′. That goal came at a perfect time to boost the Gunners’ confidence going into the break.

Wolfsburg put a lot of pressure on in the second half, but could not break down a resolute Arsenal defence.

With 20 minutes to play, Wubben-Moy found Pelova in the space on the right, and the Dutch playmaker crossed the ball for Blackstenius at the far post who finished from close range 2-2 69′.

Arsenal managed to see the game out and come back to London with an excellent result to take into the Emirates Stadium next Monday.

It was a fantastic individual and collective effort from the players and staff, and hopefully, they will do it again in the second leg and qualify for the final for the second time ever.