Rice earns Arsenal a point after Kane puts Bayern ahead

Declan Rice scored late to secure Arsenal a 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich on Wednesday, preserving the London club’s unbeaten start to the Champions League league phase and denying Harry Kane victory against his former north London rivals. Arsenal took the lead through Eberechi Eze, who came on after Bukayo Saka went off with a thigh injury. Alphonso Davies equalised after a precise pass from Kane, and the Bayern striker then put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot.

Rice restored parity in the 82nd minute. The result left Arsenal with seven points from three matches, two more than Bayern, according to Channels Television. The draw was only Arsenal’s second dropped result in 12 games in all competitions.

The Guardian said Bayern had not previously lost a Champions League group or league-phase match at home since a defeat by Manchester City in December 2013, a run covering 40 matches. Saka was forced off after eight minutes, immediately signalling towards the bench after grabbing his thigh. Eze entered in the 10th minute and opened the scoring midway through the first half.

Martin Ødegaard supplied the pass, and Eze finished into the far corner after a video review overturned an offside decision. Bayern responded through Davies, who was found by Kane’s low ball from halfway. The pass took Jurrien Timber out of the play, allowing the Canadian winger to finish clinically.

Kane then completed the turnaround after the referee awarded Bayern a penalty when his shot struck Timber’s arm. Kane’s goal extended his Champions League scoring run to 10 consecutive matches, leaving him one behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 11 for Real Madrid. It was also his 16th goal against Arsenal, according to Channels Television.

The Guardian described his performance as influential both as a passer and finisher ahead of next week’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in London. Rice levelled after late substitute Viktor Gyökeres threaded a pass into his path. The Arsenal midfielder guided a low finish beyond Manuel Neuer.

Arsenal then threatened a winner, with Timber forcing a stoppage-time save from the Bayern goalkeeper, although The Guardian judged that Bayern had created the clearer chances overall. Both teams were missing important players. Bayern were without Michael Olise, Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala, while Luis Díaz came on in the second half but was later forced off.

Arsenal also lost Saka early. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany had been a doubt because of illness but took his place in the dugout. Kane told DAZN that a draw was probably fair and acknowledged that both sides had players missing.

He said Bayern had a period when they could have settled the match. Arsenal forward Kai Havertz called the performance a strong one, particularly because of the difficulty of competing at Bayern’s stadium.