FULL TIME : Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich
Arsenal delivered a statement that echoed across Europe, battering previously unbeaten Bayern Munich 3-1 to maintain their flawless Champions League record and send a message: Mikel Arteta’s side are genuine contenders this season.
For 45 minutes the contest hung in perfect balance. Bayern, slick and confident, stroked the ball like a team that had forgotten how to lose.
From Bukayo Saka’s wicked corner, Jurrien Timber climbed above the crowd to power a header past Neuer and give the Gunners the lead.
Bayern’s reply carried a touch of genius. Joshua Kimmich split the defence with a pass of surgical beauty and 17-year-old Lennart Karl, the youngest scorer ever against Arsenal in this competition, finished calmly to level the scores before the break.
Whatever Arteta said at half-time worked wonders. Arsenal emerged transformed, relentless and ruthless. The substitutes turned the screw: Riccardo Calafiori stormed down the left and picked out Noni Madueke, another replacement, to rifle home the second.
Moments later Eberechi Eze released Gabriel Martinelli, who sprinted clear and coolly slotted the third. Martinelli has now scored in all four of his Champions League appearances this term.
Nine of Arsenal’s twelve shots came after the interval, seven on target. Bayern, for all their early poise, were simply overwhelmed. The Emirates roared its approval as the final whistle confirmed a fifth straight win in the competition and ended Bayern’s proud unbeaten start to the campaign.
Arteta’s men have conceded just once in five European games this season and remain the only side with a 100 per cent record. On this evidence, few will fancy facing them when the knockout rounds arrive.
With input from Opta Joe
