By Paul Stevens

Photo credit: Getty Images/ Stuart MacFarlane

While the breathless first half ended 1-1, the second half was an even better spectacle. Both sides had spells of dominance and both created many moments of danger.

Three of four goals scored on the night were of the highest quality and Arsenal had once again gone toe-to-toe with one of the very best sides in world football.

Arsenal had made the perfect start in less-than-ideal circumstances. Bukayo Saka was forced off with a serious looking thigh injury just seven minutes into the match. For ten minutes after Saka’s absence the Gunners looked lost.

Arsenal created a half chance with Riccardo Calafiori in the 19^th minute. The Gunners then had David Raya to thank just a minute later when the Arsenal goalkeeper saved a good strike from former Arsenal player Serge Gnabry.

Five minutes later, Martin Odegaard dropped deep into the Arsenal half and played a sensational, curling forward pass that dropped into Bayern’s right Channel. Onto the ball sprinted substitute Eberechi Eze, who allowed the ball to bounce as he ran onto it, then the Arsenal forward suddenly unleashed a powerful strike from a tight angle. The ball flashed past Manuel Neuer and crashed into the Bayern net.

The linesman’s offside flag went up, so the game was delayed while the automatic offside system checked the goal. Less then three minutes later and it was clear that the Bayern left back Josip Stanisic had played Eze on side, JUST! One nil to the Arsenal inside twenty five minutes.

Arsenal led for only ten minutes. And it was the problem that I highlighted in my prematch preview that cost Arsenal the goal.

Harry Kane dropped into a deep midfield role and picked out a truly world class forward pass inside of Jurien Timber, who could not match the pace of Alphonso Davis.

Bayern’s versatile left sided player exploded forward and dinked a superb finish across the onrushing David Raya to find the right corner of the Arsenal goal.

The two sides went into the break level, but the second half almost instantly exploded into action. Arsenal won an early set piece, and it took a world class save from Manuel Neuer to deny Bruno Guimaraes from converting a superb corner in the 48^th minute.

Then Bayern missed two big chances, first Saibari but then Raya matched Neuer. The Arsenal keeper produced a world class save of his own to claw a Davis header off the goal line.

Bayern continued to attack Arsenal and the pressure eventually took its toll in the 58^th minute. Jurien Timber slid low to his left to block a Harry Kane Shot from inside of the box. As the player slid, his arm was raised, the shot struck his arm and the Referee instantly awarded a Bayern Penalty, which Kane predictably converted.

Bayern were in the ascendancy now and with the game in the balance, Raya made another big save. This time denying substitute Luis Dias in the 75^th minute.

With time running out and Arsenal looking like they were all out of ideas, Arsenal suddenly exploded into life. The team abandoned the slow methodical play and played fast, incisive, one touch passes that carved Bayern open.

First Noni Madueke played a pass to Viktor Gyokeres, who had his back to the goal on the edge of the Bayern box. The Swedish international backed into his marker, angled his body and produced a sublime, cushioned pass that deflected the ball into the path of Declan Rice.

The English midfielder exploded onto the ball and although the angle was tight, Rice blasted a powerful low strike that flashed past Neuer before he could react. Bayern two. Arsenal two.

Timber saw his 91^st minute shot tipped over the crossbar by Neuer before the final whistle sounded. It had been an incredible match between two of Europe’s best club sides and a draw was a fair result. The shared points meant that Arsenal sat seventh in the Champions League table while Bayern ended the night in fourteenth.

Stat Focus

The first half stats showed a highly competitive half. Surprisingly, it was the away team who had dominated possession, a feat that few sides in world football could achieve at the Allianz Arena.

Arsenal had 56% of the ball. The shot count was broadly even, split six to five in Arsenal’s favour. The ‘shots on target’ and ‘big chances created’ metrics were won by Bayern two to one.

Both sides had the same touches in the opposition box – twelve, while Arsenal led the corner count three to two. Bayern led the XG (expected goals) tally with 0.82 verses Arsenal’s 0.66.

The second half stats followed a similar pattern to the first half. Once again Arsenal won more possession, having 52% of the ball.

Both teams had eight shots, Arsenal with four on target to Bayerns three. Bayern created two big chances to Arsenal’s one, although both sides missed one big chance a piece.

Bayern increased their first half XG lead and ended the game with 2.51 expected goals, while Arsenal created 1.40 of their own.

Star Player

This week’s star player could have gone to a number of players who put in exceptional performances. I’ve chosen Declan Rice for the star player award.

Rice always gives 110% for the club. His work rate is exceptional and the standards demanded by the player elevates this Arsenal side to reach new heights.

At 2-1, Arsenal needed a spark. The approach play provided by Madueke and Gyokeres was outstanding, but Arsenal’s equaliser would not have happened without the brave forward run completed by Rice.

Then came the finish. With the angle tight and Rice not typically known for being a clinical finisher, the way Rice took his goal was outstanding.

There is no doubt whatsoever that Declan Rice is a world class midfielder, one of the very best in all of world football. His versatility to play well in both the eight role, as well as the six, is such a huge asset for Arsenal. The question now is, can Rice add goals to his game consistently across the season?

A Look Ahead

Arsenal will now have just three days rest before hosting eighth placed Everton at the Emirates for Saturdays 3pm kickoff.

The Gunners will hope the injury to Bukayo Saka is not a big one and that Christos Tzolis could make a return soon, because the Arsenal forward line is currently one injury away from sixteen-year-old Max Dowman needing to start every upcoming match.

Arsenal’s opponents, Everton, come into the fixture having won just two of their opening seven fixtures. The Toffies have picked up four hard fought draws, but have only lost once so far this season, which was a two-nil loss in match week seven in a home fixture vs Chelsea.

Arsenal will face a selection headache, especially in the forward area with both Bukayo Saka and Christos Tzolis out. It is not just missing the two outstanding players that will be an issue for Mikel Arteta, but Arsenal’s front line will only have two days in training to work on new rotations between new personnel, in order to get the team firing.