It is as if Harry Kane cannot get enough of tormenting Arsenal. The Bayern Munich striker has plenty of form from his Tottenham days. He remains the top scorer in north London derby history with 14 goals.
He made an impact yet again here and yet it was not a night when he had the final word. That honour fell to Declan Rice, the Arsenal midfielder storming into the Bayern area in the 82nd minute to guide home a low finish that Kane would have been proud to call his own. Arsenal were hunting their latest statement result.
Only once had they ever won away against Bayern – the 2-0 in the Champions League last 16 second leg in 2013, although it did not prevent an away goals exit. Mikel Arteta was an Arsenal player that night. When Eberechi Eze, who came on for the injured Bukayo Saka in the 10th minute, gave them the lead midway through the first half, their hopes surged.
He wore his playmaker’s hat; some of his passing was sumptuous and it was his assist for Alphonso Davies that helped Bayern to draw level. He wore his finisher’s one, too, scoring from the penalty spot to put his team in charge. It meant he had scored in 10 consecutive Champions League games; one short of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record.
There is a reason why Kane is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday. He now has 16 goals against Arsenal; he has only scored more against one club – Leicester, against whom he has 20. Rice loosened Bayern’s grip.
It was a lovely goal from him and Arsenal even hinted at a late winner, Jurriën Timber drawing a tip over from Manuel Neuer in stoppage time. That would have been too much because Bayern shaded an absorbing tie in terms of clear chances created. But Arsenal made their point.
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