Wolfsburg 2-2 Arsenal: Gunners dig deep to keep dream alive

Arsenal fought back from two down to draw 2-2 with Wolfsburg in Germany and give themselves a great chance of reaching the Women's Champions League final.

In a rematch of last season's quarter-final, which Wolfsburg won 3-1 on aggregate, the hosts looked well on their way to advancing again when they went two up inside 25 minutes through Ewa Pajor and Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir. 

But a header from Rafaelle Souza just before the break gave the Gunners hope and Stina Blackstenius equalised in the second half to earn a precious draw ahead of the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on May 1.

It was positive end to a difficult week for the visitors, who were beaten by Manchester United in the Women's Super League in midweek and lost England skipper Leah Williamson to a season-ending ACL injury. 

The breakthrough for Wolfsburg, bidding to reach a sixth final in 10 years, came in the 19th minute when Jonsdottir set up Pajor for an incisive finish into the far corner.

It was 2-0 five minutes later courtesy of a defensive horror show. 

Arsenal tried to play it out from the back but Rafaelle's pass was too far in front of Jen Beattie and Jonsdottir nipped in to beat Manuela Zinsberger.

Jonsdottir narrowly headed over the bar as Wolfsburg pushed for a third.

But the Gunners steadied the ship and Beattie had a shot blocked before they pulled one back when Rafaelle headed home a corner at the far post.

Wolfsburg had the better of the early stages of the second half. 

Yet Jonas Eidevall's side held firm and got their reward in the 69th minute when good work from Katie McCabe and Frida Maanum set up Blackstenius, who tapped in.

The hosts pushed hard for a winner in the final stages but could not find the breakthrough.

And with a crowd in excess of 46,000 ready to roar them on at the Emirates in the second leg, Arsenal will fancy their chances of finishing the job.