Why Declan Rice had Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta going ‘ballistic’ on touchline during Bayern draw

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Arsenal and Bayern Munich played out a brilliant advert for the Champions League on Tuesday in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at The Emirates – a game jam-packed with incident and controversy.

Whether it be either side having claims for a penalty, four goals shared equally, or a potential red card for Harry Kane – something which Ally McCoist commented on during – the clash was brilliant for the neutral.

Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the lead early on, curling home from the right flank with his left foot. But a few errors at the back saw Leon Goretzka slide in Serge Gnabry, who tucked it past David Raya to make it 1-1.

Then, William Saliba made a mistake and handed Harry Kane the chance to score his 15th goal in 20 vs Arsenal from the penalty spot – and he duly obliged. The scoreline reading 2-1 at half-time, to Bayern.

Arsenal draw v Bayern a great advert for the Champions League

Eventually, it was Mikel Arteta‘s subs that made the difference. Gabriel Jesus’ brilliant feet and quick-thinking set-up Leandro Trossard, who swept home to make it 2-2. But that was just half the story.

Thomas Tuchel was fuming that his side did not get a penalty on 66 minutes, for a handball from Gabriel – who stopped the ball with his hand before taking a goal kick after the referee had blown the whistle.

Kane could have been sent off for an elbow on Gabriel just before the hour mark and then, with moments left, Saka was left incandescent that he had not been given a penalty for a foul from Manuel Neuer.

With the score reading 2-1 to Bayern on 72 minutes, four minites before Trossard’s goal, the emotion got to Arteta. He was seen going “ballistic”, according to TNT commentator Darren Fletcher, on the sidelines.

Why Mikel Arteta was fuming with Arsenal man Declan Rice

The reason – as Owen Hargreaves puts it in response – is because Declan Rice did not get into the box after Jesus played a ball out to the left to Saka, who then hung up a chipped cross into the penalty area.

“Arteta is going ballistic look, just at the bottom of the picture,” Fletcher said. Hargreaves replied: “I think he wanted Declan Rice to get forward, they need a goal. Saying go, get forward. Somebody make a run.”

Such is the passion that Arteta shows for this Arsenal side, and the expectation and demands he has on his players. Also, the style of play he is now asking Rice to bring to Arsenal – a bit like Granit Xhaka.

The Swiss star was the no.6, playing in front of Thomas Partey last season. But he has gone, and Rice has come in. The former West Ham captain has had a hand in 13 goals this season, so he can clearly do it.