Munich’s Allianz Arena staged a contest between two European heavyweights that swung repeatedly, from Bukayo Saka’s early departure to Harry Kane’s decisive influence and Declan Rice’s late intervention. Arsenal left Bavaria with a 2-2 Champions League draw after Eberechi Eze’s opening goal was cancelled out and then rescued in the closing stages.
Key takeaways
- Saka was forced off in the 10th minute after appearing to hurt the back of his left thigh.
- Eze replaced Saka and put Arsenal ahead with a powerful 25th-minute finish.
- Alphonso Davies levelled before half-time from Kane’s assist.
- Kane converted a 61st-minute penalty after Justin Timber was penalised for handball.
- Rice struck in the 81st minute to secure a point for Mikel Arteta’s side.
An early setback becomes Arsenal’s route back
Arsenal’s evening took an unsettling turn almost immediately. After playing a pass, Saka held the rear of his left leg and went down for treatment. The England winger was unable to continue, with Eze introduced in his place. Arsenal had not confirmed either the precise nature or seriousness of the problem, although the incident appeared consistent with a muscle complaint.
The substitution brought an unexpected reward. In the 25th minute, Martin Ødegaard sent a long ball towards Eze, who allowed it to bounce before driving a fierce angled shot beyond Manuel Neuer. The goal was initially disallowed, but a VAR check found that Bayern defender Josip Stanišić had kept the Arsenal player onside.
Bayern recovered before the interval. Kane created the equaliser for Davies, ensuring the sides went into the dressing rooms level after Arsenal had been unable to preserve their advantage.
Kane’s milestone season and the road ahead
Kane continued his productive campaign for Bayern with an assist and then the goal that put the German club in front. His 61st-minute penalty followed a handball by Timber in the Arsenal area. The England captain has now contributed 17 goal involvements this season, comprising 10 goals and seven assists.
Yet Arsenal retained one more response. A flowing team move ended with Rice receiving possession inside the box, and he beat Neuer with a low cross-field effort in the 81st minute to make it 2-2.
After three Champions League matches, Arsenal sit seventh with seven points. Their next European trip is to Slavia Prague on Wednesday 4 November. Before then, they host Everton on 24 October, travel to Fleetwood in the League Cup on 27 October, and visit Liverpool on 1 November.
Bayern are 14th on five points, leaving them one point outside the positions that offer direct passage to the round of 16. Their next continental assignment is an away meeting with Atlético de Madrid at the Metropolitano on Tuesday 3 November. Freiburg away on 25 October, Borussia Dortmund at home on 31 October, and a German Cup tie against 1. FC Magdeburg on 28 October come first.
