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Arsenal drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, with Declan Rice scoring his first goal of the season to level the game for a second time in the 82nd minute.
It was a night of real highs and lows. Bukayo Saka was forced off inside the first 10 minutes, and he appeared to point to his left quad while speaking to Mikel Arteta on his way down the tunnel.
Bayern then came from behind through Alphonso Davies and a Harry Kane penalty. But Saka’s replacement, Eberechi Eze, made sure the early setback didn’t knock Arsenal off course.
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Arsenal claim a point away to Bayern! What is your reaction to that performance? 🤔
Eze had a point to prove after being taken off at half-time at Nottingham Forest, when he faced plenty of criticism. Former Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole said he simply needs to “do more” when he gets his chance.
Well, tonight, he did exactly that. At the 25-minute mark, Martin Odegaard picked him out with a wonderful pass to the left flank. Eze cut into the box and fired a powerful left-footed finish past Manuel Neuer into the bottom corner. The flag went up, but a VAR check showed that Josip Stanisic had played him onside.
According to Opta Analyst, it was the earliest goal by an Arsenal substitute in a Champions League match since Thierry Henry against Sparta Prague in October 2005. That also makes him the first Arsenal substitute to score a first-half goal in the Champions League since Henry did so that night. ‘The King’ came off the bench and scored twice that night to overtake Ian Wright as Arsenal’s all-time record goalscorer.
It was also Arsenal’s fifth goal from a substitute this season. Bruno Guimaraes came off the bench to score the winners against Sunderland and Leeds, and Noni Madueke did the same at Forest on Sunday.
After a difficult few days, Eze will hope this is the start of a run in the side, especially if Saka faces a spell on the sidelines. Everton are up next in the Premier League, and his display tonight has given Arteta plenty to think about.