Eberechi Eze gave Arsenal the lead in the first half after replacing the injured Bukayo Saka, but Alphonso Davies equalised for Bayern before the interval. Harry Kane converted a second-half penalty to put the German champions ahead, only for Declan Rice to rescue a point with an 82nd-minute finish.
Arteta said Arsenal had arrived intending to win and was pleased with how they approached the opening stages, when they pressed aggressively and created problems for Vincent Kompany’s side.
“We’ll take the draw, but it doesn’t mean we’re really happy about it because we prepared a team to win the game,” Arteta said. He praised the team’s start and their ability to keep attacking after going behind, adding that the players showed “incredible composure and spirit” to recover.
The Arsenal manager also highlighted the quality of the opposition, pointing to Bayern’s ability to punish small errors. He felt his players had handled the tactical demands well, particularly when the game shifted between intense pressing and periods requiring greater composure.
“The personality and the courage we had, to get the ball off them and attack them, to be very composed,” Arteta said, describing the performance as one that offered plenty to build on.
Saka’s early withdrawal was a concern. Arteta confirmed the winger had suffered a quad injury and admitted the initial signs were worrying, although further assessment would be needed before the extent was known. Eze, who came on in his place, scored Arsenal’s opener and earned praise for his wider contribution.
Kompany felt Bayern had also created enough opportunities to win. The Bayern manager acknowledged Arsenal’s intensity and said the visitors had enjoyed spells when they were the better team.
“Arsenal pressed as intensely as we did. In these phases we were dangerous,” Kompany said. He believed Bayern had found threatening positions but accepted that the contest remained open, describing the draw as “perhaps a fair result”, even though his side had more big chances.
Kompany was disappointed that Bayern could not protect their advantage in the closing stages, when Rice’s equaliser halted their momentum.
The result keeps Arsenal unbeaten in the Champions League league phase and gives them a point from one of their toughest away assignments. Arteta praised his side’s character, while stressing there were still details to improve, particularly in their finishing and execution.
Both teams now turn their attention to domestic fixtures before the next round of European matches.