Arsenal maintained their flawless Champions League record with an impressive 3-1 win over Bayern Munich at the Emirates on Tuesday, asserting their authority in a meeting between the Premier League and Bundesliga leaders.
Arsenal take control despite early Bayern response
The opening exchanges were cautious, but Arsenal struck first in the 22nd minute when Jurrien Timber headed in a Bukayo Saka corner, with Manuel Neuer unable to intervene. The goal continued the Gunners’ remarkable efficiency from set pieces.
Eberechi Eze, fresh from his hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Tottenham at the weekend, missed a golden chance to double the lead. Moments later, Bayern struck back. Joshua Kimmich delivered a superb diagonal pass, Serge Gnabry cushioned it first time, and 17-year-old Lennart Karl finished calmly past David Raya in the 32nd minute.
Gunners dominate the second half
Arsenal came out firing after the restart. Neuer was forced to tip Saka’s fierce drive over the bar, while Karl briefly threatened on the break before firing tamely at Raya.
As pressure mounted, Arsenal carved out a succession of chances: Mikel Merino miscued from a corner, Cristhian Mosquera was denied at point-blank range, and Declan Rice saw a low effort turned away by Neuer’s legs.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 69th minute. Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano played a careless pass, substitute Riccardo Calafiori intercepted and crossed low, and fellow substitute Noni Madueke swept the ball into the net.
Neuer blunder gifts Arsenal a third
Bayern’s evening worsened when Eze clipped a long pass over the defence. Neuer, charging out of his area, failed to clear, allowing Gabriel Martinelli to glide past him and roll the ball into an empty net to make it 3-1.
Arsenal supporters revelled in the moment, teasing former Tottenham striker Harry Kane with chants as Bayern’s frustration deepened.
Both sides still on track
Despite the defeat, both teams remain well placed to finish inside the top eight of the Champions League’s new 32-team league phase, securing automatic passage to the last 16.
