Rice’s 82nd-minute equaliser kept Arsenal unbeaten in this season’s Champions League. Gerrard praised the “character and mentality” they showed after falling behind in Munich.
Steven Gerrard has described Declan Rice as a “world-class midfielder” after Arsenal came from behind to draw 2-2 at Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday. Rice’s 82nd-minute goal made him the third England player to score in an entertaining game at the Allianz Arena. Gerrard also praised Arsenal’s response after Harry Kane’s penalty put Bayern 2-1 ahead. The result leaves Arsenal with seven points from their first three games.
What Gerrard said
Speaking to TNT Sports, Gerrard said he had looked at the fixture beforehand and seen it as “a wonderful opportunity for Arsenal to show why they’re Premier League champions and to go and win this game”.
He said Bayern had “played like men” despite missing “six or seven starters” and having a manager who had been ill that week. “Credit to them,” he said. “I think Arsenal would have really fancied this game and might have been rubbing their hands together in the dressing room, but Bayern stood up, played some wonderful football.”
He added: “It would have been really unfair if Bayern had lost that, but then at the end it was Arsenal who needed to respond and they didn’t feel sorry for themselves. They’ve come here in a tough environment and gone 2-1 behind but they stood up, found the solution and showed real character and mentality.”
Asked about Rice following what the source calls surprising criticism from Graeme Souness, Gerrard said: “Forget about that, Declan Rice is a world-class midfielder and that was a top, top goal.”
How the game unfolded
Eberechi Eze put Arsenal ahead midway through the first half, in the 25th minute. He had come on for the injured Bukayo Saka. According to the research notes, Eze’s goal was first ruled out for offside before a VAR review overturned the decision. It came from a pass by Martin Odegaard. Alphonso Davies equalised in the 35th minute after a brilliant Kane pass, and Kane then scored from the penalty spot in the 61st minute to give the hosts the lead.
Rice levelled in the 82nd minute. The notes say he swapped passes with substitute Viktor Gyokeres before driving a low finish past Manuel Neuer, and that Gyokeres was credited with the assist.
Rice backs Kane for the Ballon d’Or
Rice used his post-match interview to support his England team-mate Kane ahead of next week’s Ballon d’Or ceremony. “He is the clear winner,” he said. “His numbers speak for themselves, the year he has had has been remarkable. When you play with him you realise how good he is and when you play against him you see how much of a pain it is.”
He added: “He is ridiculous, such a good player and I am lucky I can play with him, not so lucky I have to play against him.”
On the draw, Rice said: “We weren’t just going to come here and sit, that’s what the manager has drilled into us over the past two days. At home they are probably one of the best teams in Europe so to come here tonight and give that account of ourselves was really good.”
Kane’s goal means he has scored 156 times in 158 appearances for Bayern, according to the source. The research notes say it was his 10th consecutive Champions League appearance with a goal, one short of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 11, and his 16th goal against Arsenal in 23 games.
Injuries and team news
Saka went off after just nine minutes with what appeared to be a left thigh problem, without contact from an opponent. Mikel Arteta expressed concern after the game, according to the notes. No diagnosis or timescale has been given. Arsenal are already without Christos Tzolis.
Bayern’s Luis Diaz came on in the 68th minute and was substituted in the 90th, after muscular discomfort that had troubled him since the win over RB Leipzig. Sporting director Max Eberl indicated the club did not want to take needless risks.
German broadcaster ARD confirmed that Joshua Kimmich missed the game because of a death in his immediate family. Michael Olise was suspended and Jamal Musiala injured. Vincent Kompany recovered enough from illness to manage from the touchline.
Manuel Neuer returned from a foot problem and drew level with Thomas Muller’s German record of 163 Champions League appearances. He tipped a Gabriel header onto the underside of the crossbar, and Arsenal’s David Raya made a key save from Dayot Upamecano.
Arsenal have now gone 18 Champions League games without defeat in normal or extra time, their longest such run recorded since at least 2005. They are unbeaten in 15 league-phase matches, though the draw ended a run of 14 straight league-phase wins.
