Match Report: Arsenal Snatch Vital Point against Bayern Munich

Arsenal came back from behind to take home a valuable point against Bayern Munich in their quest for automatic qualification from the Champions League group phase. Declan Rice got the all-important goal in an end-to-end European face-off which featured two of the best teams in Europe.

Arsenal came out of the traps with a point to prove. The away side had more of the ball and created more chances than the hosts in the first half of play. However, Mikel Arteta was hit with a shock in the tenth minute as Bukayo Saka was forced off with what looked to be a muscle injury. Saka was replaced by Eberechi Eze, which forced Noni Madueke to switch to his more natural right-wing position.

The first 25 minutes were a cagey affair, with both teams failing to stamp any real authority on the game, but that changed as substitute Eberechi Eze found the back of the net with a delightful weak-foot finish past Manuel Neuer. The goal was subject to a lengthy VAR review as it had initially been ruled out for offside, but there was elation amongst the Arsenal ranks after the referee pointed to the centre circle.

Despite Arsenal’s strong showing, it didn’t take the hosts long to respond as Alphonso Davies, who was filling in as an auxiliary left-winger, raced in behind the Arsenal defence and coolly slotted home to equalise in the 35th minute. The goal came from a sequence that was regularly worked on by Bayern throughout the first half, especially as Harry Kane dropped incredibly deep and looked to play his teammates into open space.

Bayern were unlucky not to head into half-time with the advantage after Harry Kane had a powerful shot blocked by Ezri Konsa. Bayern went into the half-time interval as the team on top as they threatened Arsenal on the counter-attack.

HALF TIME: Bayern Munich 1-1 Arsenal

The hosts started the second half as they left off, as they created a couple of top-quality chances early in the second half, the best coming from a thumping Dayot Upamecano header which was well saved by David Raya.

That being said, Arsenal were unlucky not to take an early second-half lead themselves from a set-piece. A scramble in the box after a well-delivered Declan Rice cross left the ball spinning towards the Bayern goal, but Manuel Neuer somehow managed to stop the ball before it fully crossed the line.

The German side finally took the lead in the 61st minute as they capitalised on their consistent pressure on Arsenal. A low-driven cross into Harry Kane was met with an attempt on target but was blocked by Jurriën Timber’s hand. Penalty Bayern. Harry Kane routinely finished the penalty as he sent David Raya the wrong way with an emphatic finish.

After Bayern took the lead, Arsenal started to rework themselves back into the game and gain valuable territory in Bayern’s half. The Gunners looked more and more comfortable as the second half went on, winning set-pieces deep into Bayern’s half, but nothing came of them.

After a well-worked move which saw Arsenal combine on the right-hand side, second-half substitute Viktor Gyökeres laid the ball into Declan Rice’s path in the box before the midfielder took a touch and slammed home the equalising goal. The low-driven strike was Rice’s first goal of the season and his fifth goal involvement in all competitions for Arsenal this season. Rice’s 82nd-minute equaliser was the second game in a row Arsenal have relied on an 80th-minute-plus goal to better their result, after Noni Madueke’s late winner against Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal nearly snatched the victory after Timber’s curling effort was tipped over the bar by Neuer. The subsequent corner was another good opportunity for the Gunners to escape with the win, but Mikel Merino’s back-post header was blocked in a packed box.

FULL TIME: Bayern Munich 2-2 Arsenal

After a back-and-forth 90 minutes, a draw is a fair result for both sides and a valuable point earned for Arsenal away from home against one of the best teams in the competition. Arsenal once again travel across Europe for their next Champions League tie against Slavia Prague.