Arsenal stretched their winning run in the UEFA Champions League league phase to nine games after a brilliant 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich, who lost for the first time in any competition this season.
Bayern started brightly, but Arsenal used their strengths well and took the lead after 22 minutes. Bukayo Saka sent in a corner, and Jurriën Timber headed the ball over Manuel Neuer and into the net. Bayern didn’t panic, and equalised 10 minutes later. Joshua Kimmich fired a sharp pass forward, Serge Gnabry volleyed it into the path of Lennart Karl, and Karl calmly finished past David Raya, his second goal in two Champions League starts.
Both teams could have scored again before half-time, but the better chances after the break fell to Arsenal. Mikel Merino headed just wide, and Cristhian Mosquera saw a close-range header somehow kept out by Neuer. Saka was nearly able to tap in after the Bayern keeper blocked Declan Rice’s effort, but those misses were only the build-up to what followed.
Just moments after coming on, Riccardo Calafiori burst down the left, took the ball from Eberechi Eze on the overlap, and curled a perfect cross to Noni Madueke, who finished first time. Bayern pushed forward looking for another equaliser, but Arsenal hit them on the counter. Gabriel Martinelli sprinted clear, rounded the onrushing Neuer, and rolled the ball into an empty net.
That goal ended Bayern’s hopes of staying unbeaten, and Mikel Arteta’s team held on for a famous win. Arsenal are now 16 matches unbeaten in all competitions, and this result is a strong sign that they can genuinely challenge for the Champions League trophy for the first time. Vincent Kompany’s side finally fell to what is easily the best team they have faced this season, though they won’t be too upset as it is their first defeat in 22 competitive away games.
