Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has etched his name into another page of history thanks to his penalty in Tuesday's 2-2 Champions League draw with Arsenal in the first leg of their quarter-final.
Tottenham Hotspur's all-time leading goalscorer returned to a hostile Emirates atmosphere amid an incredible start to life in Bavaria, scoring 38 goals in his first 37 matches for Bayern Munich.
A perpetual nemesis of Arsenal's during his time in the Premier League, Kane struck 14 goals in 19 North London derbies, making the Gunners his third-most favourite opponent after Leicester City (20) and Everton (16).
On his 20th appearance against the Gunners, Kane and his Bayern teammates were initially downcast, as the former's England colleague Bukayo Saka smartly finished into the bottom corner to break the deadlock.
However, a first-half defensive implosion from Mikel Arteta's men saw Bayern turn the tide, as Serge Gnabry - a one-time Arsenal winger - firstly levelled the scores with a low strike through the legs of David Raya.
Kane has 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 the Emirates! 😳#UCL pic.twitter.com/SA9QP0HBlw
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2024
Kane continues prolific Emirates streak
The previously staunch Arsenal defence were then torn asunder by a mazy Leroy Sane run, which ended with William Saliba fouling the ex-Manchester City man inside the box, giving Kane the chance to do the rest from 12 yards.
The 30-year-old was facing up to a stadium full of Arsenal fans owing to Bayern supporters being barred entry, but he calmly rolled the ball into the bottom corner after seeing Raya make up his mind early.
Kane's cool spot kick to put Bayern 2-1 up marked his sixth goal at the Emirates Stadium, and he now holds the record for the most goals scored by a visiting player at Arsenal's new home.
The England skipper overtakes Leicester City's Jamie Vardy and Liverpool's Diogo Jota, who both have five Emirates goals under their belts, and he is also the outright top scorer in the 2023-24 Champions League with seven efforts.
However, Kane's penalty - his eighth successful spot kick against Arsenal - would not be enough to see Bayern travel back to Bavaria with a first-leg advantage, as Leandro Trossard levelled for the Gunners late on in the second half.
Kane jokes Arsenal fans hold "soft respect" for him
© Reuters
Following Tuesday's pulsating four-goal affair, Kane conducted his post-match media duties on the sideline in front of a bunch of Arsenal supporters, who were taunting the England captain as he spoke to TNT Sports.
However, Kane made light of the jeers and hailed the stalemate as a "small step" in the right direction for Bayern, who will officially lose their Bundesliga title this weekend if Bayer Leverkusen - 16 points clear at the top - beat Werder Bremen.
"I think they have a soft respect for me!" Kane said. "Having no fans here tonight was tough. Having a full stadium [next week] will push us on. We had a big chance to go 3-1 up but Leroy [Sane] didn't put it away unfortunately.
"It's been an amazing experience in Germany personally. To see a different culture and a different league. The league is gone this season but I am there for a long time. You saw a real determined team today. We had to show togetherness and show fight. Today was small step in the right direction."
Kane was not the only man to break a record on Tuesday evening, as Trossard's equaliser saw the Arsenal winger join an exclusive club of Champions League players to score in their first four home games in the competition.
Ben Knapton
