"Might actually win this then", "Thank god" - Arsenal fans pleased with 25-year-old star's inclusion in starting XI to face Bayern Munich
Arsenal fans were happy to see Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu named in the starting XI for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Bayern Munich. The Gunners will lock horns with the Bavarians at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, April 17.
Fans flooded social media with posts showing confidence in the Premier League club's chances of going forward in the Champions League, especially with Tomiyasu starting. Here is a collection of their reactions on X:
One fan wrote:
"Arsenal might actually win this then."
Another added:
"thank god."
"Tomiyasu Pls lock down sane!" chimed in another fan.
One user wrote:
"With Tomiyasu starting we are winning."
Another said:
"Sané will find it very difficult tonight than in the first leg. Tomiyasu is a very, very good defender. He was our main outlet for the counter there, will be tonight as well but it'll be so so tough. Hope we have a plan to get through this."
"Tomiyasu's first start in 138 days for #AFC. Huge call from Arteta, and probably the most sensible on balance. Martinelli over Jesus is interesting, but the bench once again looks very strong if things start to go wrong," added another.
One post read:
"Tomiyasu starts, job done."
The first leg of the quarter-final between Arsenal and Bayern Munich ended in a 2-2 draw at the Gunners' home ground, Emirates Stadium. Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard were the goalscorers for the Gunners while Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane scored for Bayern.
Arsenal currently stand second in the Premier League
Arsenal are currently second in the Premier League table with 71 points from 32 matches. They have a two-point difference with table-toppers Manchester City and have one loss, one draw, and three wins in their last five league fixtures.
The Gunners and third-placed Liverpool are both on 71 points, but Mikel Arteta's team lead the goal difference, 49 to 41.
They will face Wolverhampton Wanderers next in the league on Saturday, April 20, at the Molineux Stadium.
The last time the Gunners made it to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals was back in the 2009–10 season, and they last qualified for the semi-finals in 2008–09.