Bayern Munich draws 2-2 in Champions League chess match against Arsenal

Vincent Kompany came out with a starting lineup that may have left some fans scratching their heads, but in the end, it provided a solid result against a strong Arsenal team. The biggest change being Alphonso Davies starting at left-wing, sacrificing Luis Diaz, which proved to be a good call from the manager.

Bayern initially appeared unsettled by Arsenal’s dominance in possession, particularly during the opening 15 minutes. Playing at a high tempo and constantly rotating positions, Mikel Arteta’s side pushed for the opening goal without creating a clear-cut chance. Arguably the biggest moment of the first half came in the 10th minute when Bukayo Saka came off injured and was replaced by Eberechi Eze, a substitution that went on to define the rest of the match.

The first major effort on target actually came from Bayern. In the 21st minute, Serge Gnabry curled an effort towards David Raya’s goal, but the Spanish goalkeeper gathered it comfortably. Bayern appeared content to sit back and attack on the counter, even on home soil at the Allianz Arena.

A few minutes later, however, another incisive Arsenal move produced the opening goal. Ødegaard found Eberechi Eze with a fine pass down the left. After the ball ricocheted between several players, the English-Nigerian attacker steered it beyond Manuel Neuer and into the far corner.

‘Left winger’ Davies scores, following a fine assist by Kane yet again 

Ødegaard also delivered several dangerous set pieces at the Allianz Arena. Five minutes after Eze’s opener, Arsenal came close to doubling their lead when Bruno Guimarães volleyed over from the Norwegian’s corner.

Bayern also deployed their own special weapon: Harry Kane operating as a quarterback-like playmaker and shadow striker. He linked up particularly well with makeshift left winger Alphonso Davies.

That partnership produced the deserved equaliser in the 35th minute. Kane slipped a sublime pass into the Canadian’s path, and Davies made no mistake when one-on-one with Raya. Arsenal struggled to contain Kane throughout the match, both between the lines and inside the penalty area.

Jurriën Timber then produced a last-ditch sliding block to prevent Kane’s shot from finding the top corner. At the other end, another Ødegaard corner caused Bayern problems. In the closing minutes of the first half, Konrad Laimer nearly scored an own goal when he headed the ball towards his own far post, but Riccardo Calafiori could not arrive in time to turn it in.

Tactical battle ends in 2-2 draw

Where the first half was somewhat ‘tame’, the second half started with two excelling goalkeepers. First, Manuel Neuer produced a superb reflex save to deny a Bruno Guimarães header. Bayern launched a clever counterattack a few moments later. The move ended with Upamecano, of all players, but Raya made a smart one-handed save.

The tactical chess match continued as Eze came close to scoring his second, but Neuer and Josip Stanišić combined to stop him. Bayern then won a penalty after another incisive counterattack. Kane’s shot struck an Arsenal hand—or perhaps two—and the referee had no need to consult the VAR monitor.

The former Spurs striker stepped up to take the penalty and scored for a tenth consecutive Champions League match, one match away from equaling Cristiano Ronaldo's record.

Arsenal again dominated possession as they searched for a deserved equaliser, and it arrived in the 88th minute through Declan Rice, who finished a wonderful move down the right to make it 2-2.

Jurriën Timber came close to snatching a late winner in stoppage time, but Manuel Neuer produced another fine save. Both sides pushed until the final whistle, yet neither could find a decisive goal as an absorbing tactical battle ended 2-2.

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