A point in Munich is rarely a bad night, yet the mood around Arsenal was cautious after a 2-2 Champions League draw at the Allianz Arena. Declan Rice rescued the result late on, but the Saka injury overshadowed everything else.
Bukayo Saka went off injured around the 10th minute and Eberechi Eze replaced him. It was an early blow for a side that needed its main creator against one of Europe’s most dangerous attacks, and Mikel Arteta had to reshuffle his front line on the spot.
Eze answers, Bayern hit back
Eze made the change count. His first-half goal was initially ruled offside, but a VAR check confirmed it and Arsenal led. Bayern Munich replied before the break, when Alphonso Davies finished off a pass from Harry Kane to make it 1-1 at half time.
Kane then put the hosts in front from the penalty spot just after the hour, after the ball struck Jurrien Timber’s arm. That made him the creator of one goal and the scorer of another, and for a while it looked as though Bayern would take all three points.
Rice delivers late
Arsenal refused to fold. Rice found the equaliser with eight minutes left, a reward for a side that kept pushing despite losing Saka so early. The goal salvaged a point on matchday 3 of the league phase, and it showed the character Arteta wants in a side chasing a place near the top of the table.
The bigger worry is the Saka injury. Mikel Arteta sounded concerned afterwards, said the club must wait and see, and admitted the early signs did not look good. Arsenal have no easy break, since Everton arrive on Saturday and a trip to Liverpool follows on November 1.
The full league phase fixtures show a busy run ahead. Depth will matter, and how long Saka is out could shape the next month of Arsenal’s season.
