Arsenal end Bayern’s unbeaten run in style

Bayern Munich fell to their first defeat of the season on Wednesday evening, as Arsenal emerged 3-1 winners at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League.

The German visitors dominated possession in the early stages, but it was Arsenal who created the first real threat eight minutes in, when Leandro Trossard was played in behind the Bayern defence and forced a save from Manuel Neuer. Two more Arsenal efforts quickly followed, both blocked by Bayern defenders, before the referee halted play for an offside on Trossard’s initial attempt.

Overall, it was a relatively quiet start until Arsenal broke the deadlock from a corner in the 22nd minute. Bukayo Saka whipped in a cross that Jurrien Timber met with a powerful header, sending the ball past Neuer, who couldn’t react in time.

The hosts produced another good opportunity just past the half-hour mark, when Eberechi Eze combined smartly with Mikel Merino before sending an effort narrowly wide of the target.

Then, out of nowhere, Bayern hit back. Joshua Kimmich’s pinpoint long pass found Serge Gnabry, who first-timed the ball across goal to Lennart Karl. The 17-year-old made no mistake, smashing it into the net to level the scores.

Bayern almost repeated the move a few minutes later, when Josip Stanisic burst up the right flank to meet a long pass, but the Croatian defender opted to shoot and couldn’t keep his effort on target.

Arsenal came out strongly in the second half, with Bukayo Saka forcing Neuer into a fingertip save just minutes after the restart. That was followed by successive dangerous corners, but Bayern managed to avert a second goal.

At the other end, Lennart Karl had a big chance to score his second of the evening in the 56th minute, bursting into the penalty area, but his weak shot was comfortably saved by David Raya.

Arsenal continued to trouble Bayern with their set pieces, and Mikel Merino came close to restoring their lead when his header from a corner went just wide of the post shortly after.

Another big Arsenal chance came around the hour mark, as Christian Mosquera was allowed to head on target from close range, only for Neuer to deny him with an excellent save. A few minutes later, Neuer was once again on hand to deny an effort from Declan Rice.

In the 69th minute, Arsenal were finally rewarded for their pressure. Myles Lewis-Skelly delivered a precise cross to Noni Madueke, who got the better of Konrad Laimer at the back post to put Arsenal ahead 2-1.

The contest was effectively settled seven minutes later when Arsenal struck on the counter to make it 3-1. Gabriel Martinelli was played in behind and took a touch past the advancing Manuel Neuer before putting the ball into the empty net to extend the home side's lead.

That goal proved to be the final one of the game, as Arsenal held on to secure the win. The Gunners are now the only team in the Champions League with 15 points from five games, while Bayern sit fourth in the league-phase standings with 12 points.