NEWS
No Winner: Rice Secures Arsenal a Point in Munich
Bayern forward Kane was the decisive factor for a long time in the Champions League thriller – but in the end, there was no winner.
FC Bayern Munich drew 2-2 with Arsenal FC on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League.
Konrad Laimer started for Bayern, but the game started on a bitter note for the visitors from London: Coach Mikel Arteta had to make a substitution in just the tenth minute, as Bukayo Saka suffered an unassisted injury and had to be replaced by Eberechi Eze.
The game, however, was a hard-fought one; Arsenal appeared somewhat more assertive, but for a long time, both teams were reluctant to create chances. Serge Gnabry had the first good opportunity for Bayern; against his former club, he was set up by Ismael Saibari, but Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya made the save (21.).
Shortly after, the "Gunners" took the lead. Substitute Eze scored in a one-on-one duel with Manuel Neuer, with Martin Ødegaard providing the assist (25.). The VAR checked for a possible offside position, but the goal stood. Arsenal's lead lasted ten minutes – then Harry Kane helped Bayern equalize with a dream pass. From midfield, the England forward perfectly set up Alphonso Davies on the run; the Canadian remained cool against Raya – 1-1 (35.).
Rice Secures the Equalizer
Immediately after the restart, Arsenal almost took the lead a second time. Neuer saved on the goal line with the help of the crossbar from a Bruno Guimaraes header (47.). On the other side, Raya showed a strong save against Dayot Upamecano (49.). Then Arsenal again: Eze got the ball past Neuer, but Josip Stanišić cleared (54.).
A penalty for handball then put the Munich side in front. Kane sent Raya the wrong way and confidently made it 2-1 (61.). Minutes later, Laimer was inches away, his shot grazing the left post (67.).
The game was drawing to a close; Arsenal exerted pressure once more – and Bayern couldn't withstand it. Declan Rice initiated an attack, and via Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres, the ball found its way back to the captain – who scored from a tight angle to make it 2-2 (82.). In the final phase, Bayern had to do without Luis Diaz; the Colombian was already nursing an injury before the match, was only a substitute – and apparently got injured.
The last chance of the match then fell to Arsenal – but Neuer was able to save against Jurriën Timber. It remained a 2-2 draw.
While Bayern remains in 14th place with five points, Arsenal is now in seventh place in the table with seven points.
