Arsenal Crush Bayern Munich to Maintain Flawless Champions League Run
Arsenal defeated Bayern Munich 3-1 in a thrilling encounter between the top teams from England and Germany on Wednesday, preserving their unbeaten streak in the Champions League for this season.
The North London side controlled the latter stages of the match after Bayern's young 17-year-old midfielder Lennart Karl levelled the score following Jurrien Timber's early header in the first half.
Noni Madueke notched his first goal for the league leaders to regain the advantage, while teammate Gabriel Martinelli capitalised on a major error by Bayern's keeper Manuel Neuer.
England's skipper Harry Kane, once a Tottenham star, endured a tough homecoming in London, remaining largely ineffective despite his impressive scoring history with the six-time European winners.
"Consider Bayern Munich's form this season, they have dominated Europe," said Arsenal's Declan Rice to TNT Sports.
"This match was likely our most challenging tactical test of the campaign. Their style of play is exceptionally refined."
The midfielder from England noted that this year feels distinct from last, when Arsenal fell short once more, ending second in the Premier League for the third consecutive time.
"We have numerous influential figures in the squad," Rice continued. "We are approaching each fixture step by step. Everyone is driven to secure victories. Plenty remains ahead, so no need to overexcite."
Bayern entered the Emirates Stadium leading the Champions League standings, edging out Arsenal, as both had secured four wins from four outings.
Excellence from Dead Balls
The contest needed time to ignite, but Arsenal struck first in the 22nd minute as Timber nodded in a corner from Bukayo Saka, with Neuer floundering to reach it.
This strike highlighted Arsenal's consistent prowess in dead-ball situations.
Eberechi Eze, fresh from a treble against Tottenham in Sunday's 4-1 victory, missed a clear opportunity to extend the lead by slicing his effort astray.
Arsenal appeared in command, yet Bayern equalised swiftly in the 32nd minute thanks to Karl's finish.
Joshua Kimmich delivered an excellent cross-field pass, which ex-Arsenal man Serge Gnabry laid off neatly, allowing Karl to slot past David Raya with composure.
Arsenal pressed aggressively after the break, Neuer tipping a powerful Saka effort onto the crossbar.
Karl then advanced along the right flank into the penalty area, but his tame attempt was straightforward for Raya.
As the tempo rose, Mikel Merino mishit another threatening corner, before Neuer blocked Cristhian Mosquera's close-range header.
Arsenal now held total sway.
Neuer reacted sharply again, using his feet to deny Rice as he charged forward, with Saka unable to pounce on the rebound.
Eventually, the onslaught bore fruit with around 20 minutes left, when Bayern's Dayot Upamecano misplaced a pass, intercepted by substitute Riccardo Calafiori on the flank.
Calafiori delivered a cross, and Madueke, also a replacement, fired it into the net.
Bayern's woes deepened as Eze lofted a ball forward, catching Neuer far off his line.
Martinelli's initial control evaded the exposed goalkeeper, leaving him with an open goal, which he calmly converted.
The ecstatic home supporters mocked Kane with chants of "Harry, Harry, what's the score," delighting in his disappointment.