Bayern and Arsenal all square in first leg

FC Bayern were held to a 2-2 draw by Arsenal in Tuesday night's Champions League quarter-final first leg. Arsenal took an early lead through Bukayo Saka, with Serge Gnabry soon levelling the scores before Harry Kane put Bayern ahead from the penalty spot around the half-hour mark. Leandro Trossard restored parity with a quarter-hour to go.

The Bavarians lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Joshua Kimmich, Matthijs de Ligt, Eric Dier and Alphonso Davies in defence. Konrad Laimer and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala and Gnabry, with Kane as the target man. Kingsley Coman and Raphaël Guerreiro came on for Sané and Gnabry midway through the second half.

Scorching first half

Both sides looked to attack in a wonderfully entertaining clash that more than lived up to its billing. Gabriel Martinelli fired wide in the opening minutes, but Arsenal took the lead when Ben White set up Saka, who curled into the far bottom corner of the net. Neuer denied White before Bayern won the ball in midfield and Goretzka invited Gnabry to beat keeper David Raya.

Neuer denied Jakub Kiwior and Raya beat Sané to a pass at the other end, but the latter soon shone with a stunning solo run that resulted in William Saliba fouling him in the box. Kane stepped up to dispatch the ensuing penalty. A long ball released the charging Sané, who eventually found himself closed out, and the sides went into the break with Bayern a goal to the good.

Leveller out of the blue

Clear-cut chances were at a premium after the restart, with Bayern looking comfortable. Goretzka and Laimer miscued efforts before Gnabry flashes a shot over on the break. Kane saw an effort deflected behind, but Gabriel Jesus teed up Trossard to level the scores against the run of play.

In a last flurry of drama, Raya denied Coman before the latter hit the post. Saka was then through one-on-one with Neuer but fell after contact as the game ended all square.

The Bavarians will be back in action on Saturday when they entertain Köln in the Bundesliga. Bayern and Arsenal will meet again in the return leg in Munich next Wednesday.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen