The 2-2 draw between Arsenal and Bayern Munich in the Quarterfinal first leg of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday 9 April 2024 may be a disappointment for Gunners’ fans. Their team were not their usual fluent, confident selves despite taking a 12th minute lead through Bukayo Saka. It was substitute Leandro Trossard’s 76th minute equalizer which saved the day. In between Arsenal “old-boy” Serge Gnabry scored from open play and former Spurs’ hero and England Captain Harry Kane scored a penalty. This was his 15th goal in 20 matches against Arsenal (14 in19 for Spurs) and 39th of the season for his new Club. All is not lost for the Gunners since although Munich’s Allianz Arena is an imposing place, Bayern’s form and consistency is not.
West Ham United were in Germany for their UEFA Europa League Quarterfinal first leg match away to Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday 11 April. The Hammers held out until the last 10 minutes when they conceded twice to give the very strong Bundesliga leaders a 2-0 advantage for the second leg next Thursday 18 April in London.
We are back to Premier London Derbies (PLDs) matches on Sunday 14 April 2024 when it’s West Ham United v Fulham. In 2018-19 it was 3-1; in 2020-21 1-0; and in 2022-23 3-1 again. In that match one of the goals was scored by the Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca whose time in London was unhappy, but who scored 2 of his new club Atalanta’s goals in their 0-3 win against Liverpool also in the UEFA Europa League Quarterfinal first leg. ”Funny old game football” as someone once said. Will West Ham’s unsuccessful European travels give Fulham an opportunity to reverse previous results in this fixture?
Until next time, “Keep Safe”, and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.