Arsenal extended their winning run in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) to nine matches after a stunning 3-1 win over Bayern Munich, who tasted defeat for the first time in any competition this season.
It was a positive start from a Bayern side in blistering form, but Arsenal played to their strengths and opened the scoring on 22 minutes. The goal came from yet another set piece, as Bukayo Saka floated in a corner to be met by Jurriën Timber, who nodded over a flailing Manuel Neuer into the net.
Mikel Merino glanced a whisker wide from the centre of the area, before Cristhian Mosquera’s header was somehow kept out by Neuer from point-blank range. Saka was then just a backstep away from turning in on the rebound after Neuer toed away Rice’s effort, but all those chances were just a preamble to what came next.
Just moments after coming on, Riccardo Calafiori sailed down the left and took it off Eberechi Eze on the overlap, before whipping a perfect cross onto the foot of Noni Madueke, who fired into the net first time. The visitors predictably thundered forward in response, only to be opened up on the counter by the rapid Gabriel Martinelli, who confidently rounded the outrushing Neuer and passed into the empty net.
Any hopes of Bayern preserving their unbeaten record were quashed by that goal, and Mikel Arteta’s side saw out a famous win. Arsenal’s fantastic 16-match unbeaten run in all competitions continues, and the result is a massive statement of intent that they can lift European football’s most coveted prize for the first time.
Vincent Kompany’s side finally caved to the easily best side they have so far faced this campaign, but won’t be too disappointed given that this is just their first defeat in 22 competitive away outings.
