ARSENAL 3-1 BAYERN MUNICH: The Gunners kept up their perfect Champions League record as substitutes Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli secured the three points
Arsenal kept up their perfect Champions League record this season with a statement win over Bayern Munich as summer signing Noni Madueke came off the bench to turn the game – further underlining the depth possessed by the Gunners.
The former Chelsea man, who was ridiculed when he was in the midst of his move from Stamford Bridge, has continued to win over his new fanbase and enjoyed his best moment in red to date as he scored his first goal for Arsenal with twenty minutes remaining.
Arsenal sit top of the Champions League group phase and the Premier League with a lot made of Mikel Arteta’s wealth of options. Another summer of investment further armed the Spaniard and he made best use of that to down another Pep Guardiola discipline in Vincent Kompany.
Bayern hadn’t lost in any competition this season, but were undone by the Gunners. Madueke’s introduction was forced by an injury to Leandro Trossard. But with Arsenal seeking a winner they made more changes with Gabriel Martinelli and Riccardo Calafiori being introduced. The latter needing only a minute to lay on the winning goal for his fellow sub in Madueke, who scored from close range.
Not to be outshone, Martinelli showed his pace when a route one ball was fired up and he got a pivotal touch ahead of an onrushing Manuel Neuer. It allowed the Brazilian to run the ball into an empty net, sending the Emirates delirious, to prove that this was a night for the subs bench.
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Arsenal came into Wednesday’s contest having not conceded in their opening four games of a European campaign – equalling an English record. It should come as no surprise that a side who have already scored 64 times this term ended that run of defensive solidity, but that was a rare moment of cheers for the Germans.
Harry Kane was back in north London, but it was a forgettable return for the former Tottenham striker. The Englishman has broken more records this season for the Bundesliga outfit but was starved of service at the Emirates, leaving his opportunities at a premium. He was well marshalled and it was Michael Olise and Lennart Karl who looked most likely to pose problems for the Arsenal backline.
Jurrien Timber’s opening goal was classic Arsenal. By that I mean from a set piece, what they have become known for in more recents years. The Dutchman was the man to prosper from another impressive and intricate routine which saw him head home.
The goal knocked the wind out of the Bayern sails for a period, and had Eze shown the potency he did in Sunday’s north London derby win Arsenal would’ve doubled their lead on the half hour.
If the ex-Crystal Palace ace was frustrated, that will only have multiplied seconds later. It took Bayern two passes to go from the centre circle to the back of Arsenal’s net. Karl, the 17-year-old sensation taking German football by storm, the man to finish first time after Serge Gnabry had put it on a plate for the teen.
Arsenal were out for revenge having been dumped out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich in 2024. The two sides drew at the Emirates before Bayern got the better of the Gunners at the Allianz Arena.
They didn’t just get one over on the Bavarians, but they will have put Europe on notice once again. If you can manage to stop Arsenal for the first hour – just remember you still need to stop the embarrassment of quality they’ll bring on.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
