Arsenal drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in the Champions League on Wednesday night, with Declan Rice scoring an 82nd-minute equaliser to preserve his side's unbeaten record in the competition's league phase. According to Sky Sports, the result kept the Gunners from suffering a first defeat in 14 league phase or group stage matches. The night was overshadowed, however, by an injury to Bukayo Saka that manager Mikel Arteta described as a serious concern.
Why it matters
Bayern had not lost any of their previous 39 home games in the league phase or group stage, and Sky Sports reports that many expected Arsenal to sit deep and try to contain the German champions. Instead, Arteta's side attacked from the opening stages and finished the match with more shots and more possession than their hosts. The performance answered critics who had questioned Arsenal's style of play after a narrow 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest, and it came at one of the most difficult venues in European football.
The draw also carries weight for the standings, with Arsenal avoiding a first defeat at this stage of the competition in 14 matches. For Bayern, the result extends an imposing home run but leaves them without a win against a direct rival.
Eze strikes, Kane responds
Arsenal took the lead through Eberechi Eze, who had come on for the injured Saka and finished from a Martin Odegaard pass in a manner Sky Sports described as similar in style to Rice's later goal. Saka had been playing well before he was forced off, and Arteta later confirmed the problem is a quad issue sustained as the winger attempted a pass.
Bayern's response was driven by Harry Kane. The former Tottenham striker, who Sky Sports notes is among the leading contenders for Monday's Ballon d'Or, played a superb through-ball for Alphonso Davies to level the score. Kane then converted a penalty after Jurrien Timber was penalised for handball, his shot having struck the defender's arm.
That goal was Kane's 16th in 22 appearances against Arsenal and made him only the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to score in 10 consecutive Champions League matches. Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Kane said he felt "a little bit of disappointment" but considered a draw "a fair result," adding that Bayern had looked the team more likely to go on and win it. On the penalty, he said: "I wouldn't say never in doubt! A lot of practice and hard work goes into penalties. It was nice to get on the scoresheet. I always seem to get penalties against Arsenal!"
Both goalkeepers produced important saves. Sky Sports reports that David Raya clawed away a close-range header from Davies, while Manuel Neuer kept out a Bruno Guimaraes header after half-time that would otherwise have crossed the line.
Rice has the final say
Arsenal's equaliser came from a slick passing move involving Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres, which released Rice into the box. He finished clinically from an acute angle beyond Neuer to level the match. Sky Sports reports that Arsenal's perseverance was rewarded with the goal, capping a performance in which they went "blow for blow" with the hosts rather than sitting back.
Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports, called it "one of the highest levels that we have played," praising both teams for pressing and attacking throughout. He said Arsenal started strongly and did enough to deserve the opening goal, then had to adapt after losing Saka. "It's remarkable what we've done," he added, noting that Bayern had dominated visiting teams at home in recent seasons.
Bayern were without Michael Olise, who was suspended, and Joshua Kimmich, who was absent following a death in his family, according to Sky Sports. Despite those absences, the hosts created numerous chances, and Arteta acknowledged his side conceded more opportunities than he would have liked.
Saka concern ahead of busy run
The main worry for Arsenal is Saka's condition. Arteta told TNT Sports that the club's medical staff are "a bit concerned," adding: "A player that has to come off with a really sharp pain is never good news, but we have to wait and see." In his press conference he said: "Those things happen unfortunately. It doesn't look good at all but we have to wait and see."
Arsenal are already without Christos Tzolis through injury, which left Eze and 16-year-old Max Dowman as the only wide options on the bench against Bayern. Saturday's meeting with Everton starts a run of five games before the November international break, including a Premier League trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on November 1.
Attention now turns to Saka's assessment, with Arsenal's squad depth set to be tested across a demanding stretch of fixtures.
