Arsenal and Bayern Munich play out pulsating 2-2 draw in first leg of Champions League quarterfinal

Goals from Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane helped Bayern Munich earn a share of the spoils in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Arsenal.

It was certainly not prettiest of performances, but Bayern Munich managed to come away from the Emirates stadium with a hard-fought draw. Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane were on target for Thomas Tuchel's side, who had fallen behind early on courtesy of Bukayo Saka's curling effort. Leandro Trossard rescued a 2-2 draw for Arsenal, leaving the tie very much in the balance ahead of next week's second leg in Munich.

It was an end-to-end game, with both teams looking to play expansive and attack-minded football from the outset. Arsenal had the better chances, and nearly doubled their lead soon after Saka's early breakthrough. But the returning Manuel Neuer ensured that Ben White wasn't able to find a way past him.

Bayern then issued their response, with Gnabry finishing a blistering counter-attack after getting on the end of Leon Goretzka's through ball. The winger's goal against his former club gave Bayern the momentum shift they needed, and Kane completed the comeback in the 32nd minute from the penalty spot after Leroy Sané was fouled inside the box.

Bayern came close to adding a third, but it was Arsenal who struck next with Trossard finding the bottom corner after some good play by Gabriel Jesus.

Kingsley Coman nearly won it at the death for Bayern, but his shot hit the post. And the two sides had to settle for a draw in the end.

It is honours even going into the second leg, which will take place at the Allianz Arena next week. Bayern Munich will need to produce a much improved performance in order to secure their place in the Champions League semifinals. But the Bavarians certainly showed in stages on Tuesday that they are more than capable of taking the fight to Arsenal. And that will give them hope ahead of the second leg.