Bayern Munich 2-2 Arsenal: Gunners take huge step in the right direction, as Declan Rice earns point that means so much more in Mikel Arteta’s bid to build dynasty

DAILYMAIL.COM • 2h ago

By IAN LADYMAN, FOOTBALL EDITOR 22:38 21 Oct 2026, updated 22:54 21 Oct 2026

A draw in Bavaria will not stand out in the list of achievements carved out stubbornly by Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal as he has taken them from nowhere to somewhere over the last six years or so. But the Arsenal manager will know what this night means, nevertheless.

This is a season that must see Arsenal break fresh ground if they are to become the team we all feel they can be. They know they have questions to answer and they know what they are. They are about style and the ability to bring about repeat success. They are about building a domestic dynasty and winning things in Europe.

At times Arsenal look to be quite close to that but at other times – such as in winning so drearily with one shot on target at Nottingham Forest on Sunday – they look to be rather too far away.

So, yes, this felt like a big step in the right direction. An enterprising attacking performance – Arsenal could have scored four or five goals – against a team that hardly ever loses in its own stadium and then, a come from behind draw just when it seemed everything may be lost.

The feeling the Arsenal team will have had when celebrating Declan Rice’s late equaliser down beneath their own fans here will have been one that should propel them forwards.

Bayern are not used to teams doing that to them here and when the ball flew across Manuel Neuer and into the far corner you could feel the air being sucked out of this cavernous bowl and up into the night sky.

I was sitting next to Taylor Swift when she 'snapped' at a fan34.7K viewing now Declan Rice smashed a powerful low effort to make it 2-2 late on against Bayern Munich Rice latched onto a through ball and his shot had too much for Manuel Neuer Harry Kane had put Bayern Munich in front from the penalty spot in the second half For Bayern had thrown their best at Arsenal here. Harry Kane had done so too. Arsenal had led midway through the first half through Eberechi Eze but as time wore on Bayern’s rapid counters threatened to become too much. Defeat beckoned.

Kane – as irrepressibly as inspirational as ever – had supplied a world class assist for Alphonso Davies in the first half and then, on the hour, a penalty of his own.

A loss here would have not been a disaster for Arsenal but it would have felt telling. It would have given their many critics further ammunition with which to do them down. Not good enough in Europe. Flat track bullies. Stuck in the mud. Not moving forwards.

So it was a good night for Arsenal if not a perfect one. An injury to Bukayo Saka, for example, was not on Arteta’s wish list. He was clipped from behind in the tenth minute and went down holding the back of his knee.

That was the end of his evening and the injury will be a worry. The only consolation to Arteta will have been that his replacement took his opportunity.

This has not been a stellar season for Eze but you would not have known it watching him drive a pass from Martin Odegaard across Manuel Neuer and in to the far corner with his left foot in the 25th minute. The supply from Odegaard was exemplary but it needed a finish to match.

At that point, Arsenal were worth the lead, even if Bayern had attacked on the counter to good effect.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya had to save sharply from Serge Gnabry after one such break while a lofted Kane pass a couple of minutes before Eze’s goal could have led to something had Ismael Saibari not applied such a clumsy touch.

Arsenal, meanwhile, had their own moments to ponder. Twice from corners they had opportunities at the far post but Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes couldn’t take them.

After a slow start, it had become a good game. Arsenal were purposeful and ambitious if a little too square across the back at times. Eventually, they were caught out.

Kane’s pass inside Jurrien Timber from just inside the Arsenal half could not have been more geometrically perfect had he used a set square and Davies ran on to open his body and beat Raya quite comfortably.

Kane’s goal – his 58th in the competition – was eventually to arrive on the hour and arrived after a spell of Bayern pressure. Before that, though, Arsenal had another couple of huge moments.

Almost immediately after half-time, Neuer produced a stunning save to push a Gabriel header up on to the crossbar from another corner. At the other end Raya denied Dayot Upamecano in similarly brilliant fashion.

It was an increasingly engaging game but one that Bayern were beginning to enjoy rather more. Their forays into the attacking third had become more regular and brought with them a greater menace.

Kane, for his part, was showcasing his full repertoire, spending as much time in deep position as he was through the middle.

But he was in the right place on the hour to meet a cross from Konrad Laimer and when his shot struck the sprawling Jurrien Timber on the arm a penalty was the only decision available. Kane took it and, after a little stutter, slotted it to Raya’s right with the keeper committed in the other direction.

Bayern almost sealed the game soon after only for Laimer’s right foot shot to miss Raya’s right hand post.

So Arsenal remained in it and – with Viktor Gyokeres on to change the shape of their attacks – they eventually took what they deserved. The move down the right side was slick and Rice’s finish – after a one-two with the big striker – was perfect, across Neuer with power.

The celebrations that followed were about much more than a single Champions League point.

NOW READ: Bayern Munich v Arsenal PLAYER RATINGS: Which stars left the Gunners defence exposed too often? Who pulled the strings for Mikel Arteta’s men? And who had a ‘quiet’ night?

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