Declan Rice rescues Arsenal in Munich as Bayern held to 2-2 in Champions League

Rice denies Bayern late on in thriller at the Allianz

Declan Rice struck a superb 82nd-minute equaliser as Arsenal fought back to draw 2-2 with Bayern Munich in a thrilling Champions League encounter at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night. The Gunners were heading for a first defeat in 14 league phase or group stage games before a slick passing move involving Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres allowed Rice to race into the box and fire a clinical finish beyond Manuel Neuer from an acute angle.

Earlier, Eberechi Eze had scored the opening goal in similar style from a Martin Odegaard pass after replacing Bukayo Saka, who was forced off with an early injury. But Harry Kane inspired Bayern's recovery.

First half: Bayern on top, Arsenal punish them

After a commanding 6-1 win against RB Leipzig on the weekend, Bayern Munich faced their first real test in this season's Champions League as they hosted Arsenal at the Allianz Arena. This is the third time in four seasons that Bayern have played Arsenal; last season the Premier League side won 3-1 in North London, while the previous meeting before that came in the quarter-finals, which the Bundesliga champions won 3-2.

Heading into the game, the Rekordmeister were without two of their key players, with Michael Olise suspended following his red card last week against Viking, while Joshua Kimmich was also absent due to a bereavement in his family.

Bayern were in control for much of the first half, and Serge Gnabry had their best chance in the early stages after Kane started the move as he took the goal kick. However, it was Arsenal who took the lead against the run of the game when Odegaard played through Eze, who was marginally onside, to make it 1-0. Arsenal's lead lasted only 10 minutes as Kane was once again the orchestrator, playing a near-perfect pass to Alphonso Davies, and the Canadian slotted past David Raya to make it 1-1.

Second half: Kane's penalty, then Rice strikes

In the early stages of the second half, both teams had chances that required goal-line saves from both keepers, first Neuer, then Raya, while Arsenal again had a chance they were unable to bundle home. Kane would then get his customary goal when Bayern were awarded a penalty following a handball by Jurrien Timber, which he easily converted.

Vincent Kompany's side then had two great chances from Konrad Laimer and substitute Luis Diaz to extend their lead, but they were unable to convert. With 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Arsenal levelled it through Declan Rice.

Kane's landmark night

Kane's goal was his 16th in 22 games against Arsenal and made him only the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to score in 10 consecutive Champions League games. The former Spurs striker, who is one of the leading contenders to win the Ballon d'Or at Monday's ceremony, set up Davies' leveller with a superb through-ball before converting Bayern's second from the spot.

Considering their dominance in the early stages and the chances they had when 2-1 up, Bayern may feel they could have won. However, there were moments when Bayern were on the ropes, and the biggest worry for Kompany's side is that Diaz went off injured late on. There were doubts about his fitness going into the game, but the fact he came on and was unable to complete it could put his availability in doubt ahead of Freiburg on Sunday.

Player ratings

Get German Football News rated Kane as man of the match (8). The ratings for Bayern were: Manuel Neuer (6), Josip Stanisic (5), Dayot Upamecano (7), Kim Min-Jae (5), Konrad Laimer (6), Tom Bischof (6), Aleksander Pavlovic (6), Serge Gnabry (5), Ismael Saibari (5), Alphonso Davies (6), Harry Kane (8). Others: Jonathan Tah (5), Lennart Karl (5), Luis Diaz (-), Baro Sapoko Ndiaye (-).

GGFN's Jack Meenan noted: “In this game, Kane spent most of it not in the position he was listed as playing in when the team sheet came out. Tonight, the English showed his full passing range, popping up in midfield, in defence, even in Bayern's own box when they were building up from the back.” He added: “If Bayern's attack wasn't mainly filled with second-string players, then this probably would have been a lot more effective with the likes of Michael Olise and Luis Diaz on the pitch. It wouldn't be surprising that as Kane gets older, he begins to slowly move further back.”