Arsenal 3, Bayern Munich 1: Gunners Break Bavarian Curse and Soar to the Top of the Champions League!

On Sunday afternoon, Tottenham faced off against Harry Kane on Wednesday night.

What an eventful week it has been for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, delivering impressive performances against their most despised rivals.

After substitutes Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli propelled Arsenal to the top of the Champions League table, boasting the only perfect record, Bayern Munich was met with mocking chants of ‘are you Tottenham in disguise?’

Former Spurs striker Kane, never a welcomed presence here, irritated the home fans by suggesting that the increasing focus on set-piece play has made Premier League football less thrilling this season.

So, naturally, Arsenal, known for their dead-ball expertise, took the lead from a corner – Jurrien Timber’s header was equalized by Bayern’s teenage sensation Lennart Karl before halftime.

However, with Declan Rice shining and Arteta’s depth evident from the contributions of his young players, the Gunners secured a well-deserved win, nearly guaranteeing their progression to the last 16.

Madueke’s winning goal marked his first for Arsenal – perfectly timed as he prepares to face his former club Chelsea in a clash of the Premier League’s elite.

The England winger was not the most popular signing during the summer, yet he had impressed for both club and country before a two-month injury lay-off and is now eager to prove himself against the team that sold him for £52 million.

According to Uefa’s extensive group-stage table, these were the two best clubs in Europe – both leading in their domestic leagues as well.

Bayern arrived with an impressive record of 17 wins from 18 matches this season, having netted an astonishing 64 goals in the process.

Kane had contributed 24 of those goals and had previously scored six at the Emirates, five of which were from the penalty spot.

The England captain struggled to make his presence felt early on, even retreating to his own box to tussle with Bukayo Saka at one point.

When he did touch the ball, he was met with pantomime boos, but there was none of the hostility typically associated with North London derbies and none of the intensity we would have witnessed had this been a knockout match.

Bayern had a history of eliminating Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal teams from European competitions, and they also defeated Arteta’s side in the quarter-finals two seasons ago, but the Gunners appeared to be the more alert team.

William Saliba headed wide from a Declan Rice free-kick, and on 22 minutes they took the lead from – you guessed it – a corner.

Saka sent the ball to the front post, where Timber scored with a glancing header. Manuel Neuer and his manager Vinny Kompany voiced their complaints, but unless goalkeepers can claim free-kicks for having weak flapping hands in the Bundesliga, their grievances were hard to justify.

Eberechi Eze, the hat-trick hero from Sunday’s derby demolition, started off quietly.

However, he displayed his skill by controlling a long ball and exchanging passes with Mikel Merino, only to drag his shot wide under pressure.

Thus, Arsenal were in control when Bayern equalized.

Josh Kimmich delivered a diagonal pass to Michael Olise, and Eze’s former Crystal Palace teammate darted behind Myles Lewis-Skelly to set up a volleyed center for the 17-year-old Karl to strike home.

This was the first goal Arsenal had conceded in the Champions League this season – although they still hadn’t let in one from an adult player.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!