For large spells of this heavyweight Champions League showdown, it felt like Arsenal were suddenly playing a different sport.

The Premier League has, for some time now, been an arduous slog for the Gunners. Space is denied, the pace is slowed, and the margins have become increasingly and agonisingly thin.

Well, for one night and you would expect one night only, the shackles were released. As Arsene Wenger might have put it, the handbrake was off.

Bayern Munich had no interest in containing or spoiling. They wanted a slugfest and they got it. A 2-2 draw was a fair result in what was a brilliant encounter between two of Europe's very top sides.

This is not the kind of game Arsenal will face domestically. Nor against most in the Champions League.

However, it was a useful dress rehearsal before the serious business in 2027. When it comes to the knockout stages, Bayern, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain will present this type of test, one that demands bravery and world-class execution at both ends of the pitch.

Unlike against PSG in last season's final, Arsenal went toe-to-toe in every sense with Bayern and got dragged into the chaos. For all the talk of Arsenal's style of play, here was proof that given the opportunity, the Gunners can hold their own against world-class opposition in a match played in hugely enjoyable fashion.

This is not a ground that has been a happy hunting ground for Arsenal. None of the last four have ended in victory and the most recent win, when Arteta started in midfield, still brought an aggregate defeat on away goals in 2013.

Since then, there have been two 5-1 defeats as well as a quarter-final exit three seasons ago.

The omens for a happier Munich voyage did not look positive early on. Within ten minutes, Bukayo Saka had limped off with what looked to be a worrying quad injury.

To their credit, Arsenal responded well. The opening goal was sublime and yet it is almost impossible to imagine it being possible to score in the Premier League.

Martin Odegaard was allowed to drop deep, turn and look up. There was space to enjoy and a high line to exploit and he did sensationally, clipping a gorgeous pass through to Eberechi Eze. The finish was emphatic.

Arsenal did not retreat with that lead and it left them vulnerable. Bayern were electric in transition, Harry Kane going through the full repertoire in his bag to repeatedly open the Gunners up.

It was as open as you will see an Arteta side but that was the gamble. Ezri Konsa followed Kane all around the pitch and did not get it right at times, hesitating and allowing Kane the space to punish.

Bruno Guimaraes struggled with this kind of game, as he did against Brighton. His partnership with Declan Rice is yet to really convince and the Brazilian looked a yard off the pace whenever Bayern broke.

Arsenal, though, showed real courage. They went punch for punch with Bayern and got their reward late on.

It was the latest in a growing catalogue of wonderful team goals this season. Rice burst forward, Gyokeres provided the deft flick, and the finish was unerring from Rice.

That was a further display of personality. Bayern were well on top after taking the lead through Kane on the hour mark. On previous visits to this stadium, Arsenal would have folded under that pressure.

Not this time and not this Arsenal side. This was a night to bolster belief in the squad and show they can be a match, not just an elite defensive obstacle, for Europe's best.

A point in the grand scheme of things meant little to either side, who will both progress beyond the league phase.

However, comes the latter stages of the competition and potentially even a return to Munich when the stakes are far higher, this should stand Arsenal in good stead.