Arsenal leave Munich unbeaten but Saka concern clouds the picture

Arsenal left the Allianz Arena with their unbeaten Champions League record intact, but the 2-2 draw against Bayern München on Wednesday night was less a statement of control than a test of endurance. Eberechi Eze, deputising for the injured Bukayo Saka, gave Arsenal a 25th-minute lead, only for Alphonso Davies to equalise ten minutes later and Harry Kane to put Bayern ahead from the penalty spot on 61 minutes. Declan Rice's 82nd-minute equaliser rescued a point, but the night left Mikel Arteta with more questions than answers.

The most immediate concern is Saka, who came off in the 10th minute with what Arteta described as a "really sharp pain". The Arsenal manager admitted there is concern but offered no timescale, and that uncertainty now hangs over the coming fixtures.

The numbers from Munich tell a story of adaptation rather than dominance. Arsenal had 54 per cent possession and 14 shots to Bayern's 13, but their expected goals split reveals a significant shift. Their open-play xG was just 0.5, well below their average of 1.31 across earlier 2026/27 matches in all competitions. Their set-play xG, by contrast, was 1.19, far above their average of 0.26.

That is not to say Arsenal were passive. They managed 22 touches in the opposition box, though that is down on their average of 37.2 across earlier matches this season. Bayern, meanwhile, generated 2.46 xG from their 13 shots, with four big chances to Arsenal's three.

For Arsenal, the resilience is commendable. They arrived in Munich with two wins and no goals conceded, and they leave with their unbeaten start intact. Whether that is a one-off consequence of Saka's early exit or a deeper issue will become clearer in the coming weeks.

Bayern now have five points from three matches, and dropping points at home after leading late leaves them playing catch-up in the race for a top-eight finish. Arsenal, meanwhile, remain in a strong position, but the Saka concern is the variable that could define their next matchday. Arteta was careful not to speculate on the severity of the injury, and that caution is wise.

The next fixtures will begin to answer whether this was a resilient point gained or a warning sign ignored. For now, Arsenal can take credit for the character they showed in Munich. But the performance also raised a question they will have to answer without Saka: can resilience alone carry them through the league phase, or does their ceiling depend on his availability?