FC Bayern München 2-2 Arsenal: result and report

The Pundit picked FC Bayern München (49%): wrong

Report

FC Bayern München and Arsenal drew 2-2 at the Allianz Arena. It was a fair result: each side took the lead once and neither could hold on to it.

How the lead changed hands

Arsenal struck first. Eberechi Eze scored on 25 minutes from Martin Ødegaard's pass. The lead lasted only ten minutes, because Alphonso Davies equalised on 35 minutes from a Harry Kane assist.

Kane then turned provider into scorer. His penalty on 61 minutes put FC Bayern München 2-1 up. Arsenal still had an answer. Declan Rice levelled with eight minutes left, set up by Viktor Gyökeres, and finished as player of the match.

Where the chances came from

The finishing numbers were almost identical. Each side had seven shots, five on target, and each missed two big chances. That evenness is why the draw feels right.

FC Bayern München did edge chance quality, though only narrowly. They finished with 2.25 xG to Arsenal's 1.92 and created four big chances to three. They also made more key passes, 11 to 9. Arsenal's near miss went the other way: they hit the woodwork, while FC Bayern München did not.

Arsenal: more of the ball, slightly less to show

Arsenal had more of the territory. They held 54% possession and made 39 dangerous attacks to 25. Their attacking pressure was also higher on average across the match, and their peak was clearly above anything FC Bayern München produced.

That pressure did not become better chances, however. FC Bayern München did more with less of the ball. That is the counter-signal to any idea that Arsenal were the stronger side.