Arsenal stretched their incredible Champions League league-phase winning streak to nine matches after a thrilling 3–1 win over Bayern Munich, a result that also handed the German giants their first defeat in any competition this season, much to the surprise of many.
Even Softfootball in the pregame report expected Bayern to overcome at the Emirates given their previous record, but Arsenal have shown once again that they are a different breed from previous teams that have won the red jersey for the Gunners.
Bayern actually started the night looking sharp, moving the ball with that usual confidence, but Arsenal struck first and did it in a very Arsenal way with another set piece.
In the 22nd minute, Bukayo Saka delivered a teasing corner that Jurriën Timber met perfectly, guiding his header over a scrambling Manuel Neuer and sending the home team into a massive frenzy. Noni Madueke has earlier spoken about the magical atmosphere of the Emirates and the fans who were in their full voice against Bayern.
It felt like the kind of moment that could rattle most teams, but Bayern, who had gone behind in their last two games and still avoided defeat, responded with real authority.
Ten minutes later, Joshua Kimmich split the lines with a brilliant pass, Serge Gnabry cushioned it on the volley, and Lennart Karl tucked it past David Raya, two goals in two UCL starts for the youngster. The first half swung back and forth from there, both sides threatening to score again, but the real shift came after the break.
Arsenal began to take control. Mikel Merino glanced at a header inches wide, Cristhian Mosquera somehow saw his point-blank effort denied by Neuer, and Saka nearly pounced after the Bayern keeper pushed out Declan Rice’s strike. All those half-moments were basically a warm-up for what happened next.
Riccardo Calafiori came on and made an instant impact, sprinting down the left and stealing the ball off Eberechi Eze on the overlap before sending a wonderful cross into the path of Noni Madueke, who finished first time.
Bayern pushed hard to respond, only to get undone on the break as Gabriel Martinelli raced clear, rounded Neuer and rolled the ball into an empty net.
Arsenal celebrated the victory, hailing it as another massive European victory in a post made via the team’s official X account.
They posted:
That pretty much sealed Bayern’s unbeaten run, and Arsenal managed the final stages calmly. Mikel Arteta’s side are now 16 games without defeat in all competitions, and, honestly, this felt like a real declaration that they’re ready to chase the Champions League trophy for the first time.
Vincent Kompany’s team, meanwhile, finally cracked, but given this is their first loss in 22 away matches, they’ll probably take it on the chin.
