Mikel Arteta sidesteps controversy after Champions League thriller with Bayern Munich

Bukayo Saka tumbled in the box in the closing seconds of the match after a clash with Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer, but the referee waved away strong Arsenal protests.

"Manuel Neuer leaves his leg out. It has to be a penalty. They [VAR] had to send him [referee] to look at it,” declared former Manchester United defender Rio Ferinand on TNT Sports.

Mikel Arteta still hopeful after Arsenal draw with Bayern Munich

"It's such a big decision in a game like this. There is so much riding on it."

Ferdinand’s indignation was contrasted by other observers who suggested Saka pushed his leg towards Neuer in a bid to try and win the penalty, in a game that was packed with incident from first to last.

England captain Harry Kane played the role of pantomime villain throughout and, aside from registering his 39th goal of a remarkable season, could have been sent off for swinging an elbow into the neck of Gabriel.

It seemed that Tottenham legend Kane appeared to be on course for a fairytale return to north London as he fired a first half penalty to give the German champions a 2-1 lead.

But substitute Leandro Trossard left the tie perfectly poised ahead of next week’s return match with a 76th-minute equaliser after Saka’s early opener was cancelled out by former Arsenal forward Serge Gnabry.

Six-time European champions Bayern almost snatched a 90th-minute winner when Kingsley Coman struck a post, while Saka was denied an added-time spot-kick following a challenge from Manuel Neuer in a breathless finale.

"They said they checked it and decided it was not a penalty,” was the only comment Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta offered up on the Saka incident.

The Spaniard also suggested his side were in a strong position heading into the second leg in Munich.

"The game had different moments,” he continued. “We started really well, we were dominant, didn't concede anything. We scored a really good goal and after that is the moment of the game when Ben (White) is in front of (Manuel) Neuer and if it was 2-0 it would have been a very different game.

"They scored and it created some uncertainty, the second goal was unusual for us to concede but it is the Champions League, you make a mistake and get punished.

"We allowed them the spaces to run and they were very dangerous but even at 2-1 we tried to make a rhythm, we were composed and didn't try to rush things and the changes had an impact on the game.

"In the Champions League you give something they will take it. You get punished. That is part of football as well

"The things we can control is do the simple things better."

Kane also gave his verdict on the Emirates Stadium thriller, that was played in a stadium without Bayern Munich fans following a UEFA ban.

"We had a big chance to go 3-1 up but Leroy (Sane) didn't put it away unfortunately,” said Kane.

"You saw a real determined team today. We had to show togetherness and show fight. Today was small step in the right direction.

"It was a tough game. Of course we are never happy when we don't win. You've seen it over the past couple of years, Arsenal have had a good go at trying to win the league and they are top of the league for a reason.”