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Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1 (3-2 pens): Gunners triumph on penalties after Alex Iwobi heads injury-time leveller in Champions Cup

Robert Lewandowski had netted from the spot in the first half before Gunners playmaker Iwobi came up with leveller

ALEX IWOBI snatched a stunning last-gasp equaliser before Emi Martinez's shoot-out heroics.

Arsene Wenger's side had been on the receiving end of a 5-1 thumping in the last THREE matches against Bayern.

 Arsenal's players celebrate after beating Bayern in Shanghai
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Arsenal's players celebrate after beating Bayern in ShanghaiCredit: Getty Images
 Alex Iwobi celebrates with his Arsenal team-mates after netting the leveller
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Alex Iwobi celebrates with his Arsenal team-mates after netting the levellerCredit: Reuters

But this time they managed to end their run of defeats and also managed something rare - beating a German side on penalties.

Earlier, they were behind to Robert Lewandowski’s penalty at Shanghai Stadium – and it was a dodgy spot-kick at that.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles was judged to have brought down Juan Bernat but it was harsh decision from ref Guan Xing.

After Lewandowski stuck away his pen it looked like the floodgates would open as Wenger had a makeshift defence.

Laurent Koscienly, along with Olivier Giroud, was ill and missed out, then Per Mertesacker pulled out through sickness right before kick-off.

Sead Kolasinac also went off ill before the break to leave Arsenal stretched.

 Iwobi hist the deck after nodding an equaliser in injury time
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Iwobi hist the deck after nodding an equaliser in injury timeCredit: Reuters
 Robert Lewandowski netted from the penalty spot in the first half
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Robert Lewandowski netted from the penalty spot in the first halfCredit: Getty Images
 Petr Cech dives in vain as Lewandowski fires in a spot-kick
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Petr Cech dives in vain as Lewandowski fires in a spot-kickCredit: Getty Images
 Arsene Wenger caught the eye on the Gunners bench with a pair of red Gunners trainers, alongside new coach and former keeper Jens Lehmann
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Arsene Wenger caught the eye on the Gunners bench with a pair of red Gunners trainers, alongside new coach and former keeper Jens LehmannCredit: Getty Images
 Alexandre Lacazette shows the strain a night of few chances
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Alexandre Lacazette shows the strain a night of few chancesCredit: Getty Images
 James Rodriguez is tracked by Naco Monreal and Sead Kolasinac
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James Rodriguez is tracked by Naco Monreal and Sead KolasinacCredit: Getty Images

It meant a back three of Mo Elneny, Krystian Bielik and Nacho Monreal – but Bayern could not find a way past Petr Cech.

The Gunners keeper had one of his finest games against Bayern in the 2012 Champions League final and was on top form in this ICC friendly.

His best saves came from Thomas Muller’s deflected drive and two point-blank stops to deny James Rodriguez.

Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil both went through on goal but had their efforts saved by Tom Starke.

 Franck Ribery lies on the deck and needed treatment on his thigh
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Franck Ribery lies on the deck and needed treatment on his thighCredit: Getty Images
 Corentin Tolisso (L) and Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi vie for the ball
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Corentin Tolisso (L) and Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi vie for the ballCredit: Getty Images
 Carlo Ancelotti suffered defeat top Arsenal after two big wins last season
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Carlo Ancelotti suffered defeat top Arsenal after two big wins last seasonCredit: Getty Images

Then Iwobi struck at the death, heading home Aaron Ramsey's cross after making a surging run himself.

During the shoot-out, Martinez saved from David Alaba and Bernat.

ARSENAL (3-4-2-1): Cech (Martinez 72)– Bielik (Bramall 45), Elneny, Monreal - Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Coquelin (Willock 45), Kolasinac (Nelson 43) - Ozil (Iwobi 45), Welbeck (Nketiah 72)– Lacazette (Walcott 45).

 

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