Arsenal surged to the top of the Champions League standings on Wednesday night after a commanding 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium, preserving their perfect record in this season’s competition.
Mikel Arteta’s side were irresistible in the second half, overpowering the Bundesliga champions after teenager Lennart Karl had briefly drawn Bayern level. Substitute Noni Madueke restored Arsenal’s lead before Gabriel Martinelli capitalised on a disastrous error from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to seal the win.
Both teams entered the match with four wins from four, but Bayern sat narrowly ahead in the league-phase table—an advantage Arsenal decisively overturned.
The Gunners struck first in the 22nd minute through Jurrien Timber, who rose highest to nod in Bukayo Saka’s corner as Neuer struggled unsuccessfully to intervene. The goal highlighted Arsenal’s continued dominance from set-pieces this season.
Moments later, Eberechi Eze—fresh off a hat-trick against Tottenham—missed a golden opportunity to double the lead, dragging his shot wide from close range.
Bayern equalised in the 32nd minute after a swift, incisive move. Joshua Kimmich’s raking diagonal pass found Serge Gnabry, whose first-time layoff sent 17-year-old Karl through on goal. The youngster showed remarkable composure, firing past David Raya to bring the visitors level.
Arsenal returned from the interval with renewed intensity. Neuer was forced into several important saves, pushing over a powerful Saka effort and later denying Declan Rice in a one-on-one situation.
The pressure eventually told in the 69th minute when Dayot Upamecano’s loose pass gifted possession to Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian substitute whipped in a low cross that Madueke, also off the bench, turned into the net to restore Arsenal’s lead.
Bayern’s night unravelled further when Eze lofted a long ball over the defence. Neuer raced far outside his box but misjudged the play, allowing Martinelli to glide past him and calmly finish into an empty net.
Arsenal supporters revelled in the moment, directing mocking chants of “Harry, Harry, what’s the score?” toward Bayern striker and former Tottenham talisman Harry Kane.
Despite the defeat, both Arsenal and Bayern remain well positioned to finish inside the top eight of the Champions League’s new 32-team league phase—an automatic ticket to the last 16. But on a night when two European heavyweights clashed, it was Arsenal who delivered the statement performance.
