Arsenal battled to earn a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in a thrilling Champions League contest at the Allianz Arena
Declan Rice rescued a point for Arsenal against Bayern Munich
Declan Rice rescued a point for Arsenal against Bayern Munich
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It was looking like another dream night for Harry Kane - and then Declan Rice took matters into his own hands.
England's irrepressible captain assisted and scored - his 16th career goal against Arsenal - to once again prove precisely why he is worthy of winning the Ballon d'Or.
But restless international team-mate Rice appeared determined to spoil the party and that is what he did, driving in a precious late dagger to snatch a credible point for the Gunners.
Their 14-match Champions League group phase winning streak may be over but having lost Bukayo Saka to injury inside the opening 10 minutes, this was both a result and performance to be proud of.
Arsenal player ratings vs Bayern Munich as Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice shine but 5/10 struggles
They had initially led through Eberechi Eze but were pegged back following strikes from Alphonso Davies and Kane and in the end, actually looked like the side more capable of motoring onto victory.
Last time Arsenal won at the Allianz (March 2013), not only was Mikel Arteta still playing but he also scored in a hard-fought 2-0 victory that ultimately counted for precious little.
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Somewhat cruelly, the Gunners were eliminated on away goals. In the eight subsequent meetings with Bayern, they won just twice, shipping 22 goals in the process.
Europe's biggest and best teams have been known to shrink here so for Arsenal, the recipe was simple; contain and control - even if Bayern were without the suspended Michael Olise and Joshua Kimmich.
That is easier said than done of course but on the continental stage under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners now have Champions League final experience, have conquered Real Madrid on both home and foreign soil and perhaps more significantly, they cut right through Vincent Kompany's side just 329 days ago in a pulsating 3-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Nothing is ever straightforward at the top table though and unfortunately for the Spaniard, his game plan effectively went out of the window inside the opening seven minutes when Bukayo Saka damaged his left quad.
It looked so innocuous but Saka's reaction was telling and he grimaced as he awkwardly hobbled down the tunnel for treatment following a brief exchange with Arteta.
There was not even a slither of hope that he'd be able to continue and now Arsenal face a nervous wait to discover the extent of the damage with fellow first-choice winger Christos Tzolis also currently sidelined with a hamstring problem.
The games continue to come thick and fast and Saka's injury is the latest consequence of football's unforgiving schedule but Arsenal now look desperately short out wide and there's an argument that's also a squad-planning issue.
Shortly after, David Raya displayed his red-hot reflexes to keep out Serge Gnabry following a rapid counter-attack.
Incredibly, the move initially started when Harry Kane took it upon himself to take a goal kick, launching a pinpoint pass upfield.
The Premier League champions were in no mood to admire Kane's quality though and soon helped themselves to the opener through Saka's replacement Eberechi Eze.
Eze, who was hooked at half-time following a dismal 45-minute cameo at Nottingham Forest, composed himself as he raced onto Martin Odegaard's lofted pass and finished with aplomb on his weaker foot.
He was initially flagged offside but the technology soon established that Josip Stanisic had played him on.
Bayern soon hit back as Kane wrapped a mesmerising pass in behind Jurrien Timber which enabled Alphonso Davies to confidently curl into the corner.
Just five sleeps out from Monday's Ballon d'Or gala in London, Kane was hungry for more and converted a 61st-minute penalty after Timber handled his initial shot.
Arsenal dug in and got their reward eight minutes from time when Viktor Gyokeres played in Rice, who finished ruthlessly from a difficult angle, much to the delight of the jubilant travelling faithful.