Arsenal produced one of their most impressive European performances of the season as they dispatched Bayern Munich 3-1 at the Emirates in the Champions League this evening. The clash brought together the two standout teams of the competition so far, ensuring that only one would leave north London satisfied. With the Emirates increasingly becoming a fortress, the home crowd once again created an electric atmosphere that fuelled the Gunners’ confidence from the opening whistle.
Arsenal Rise to the Occasion
Bayern began the match with greater control of possession, but it was Arsenal who carved out the early opportunities and threatened to take the lead. Their persistence soon paid off when Jurrien Timber opened the scoring, continuing his outstanding campaign and giving Mikel Arteta’s side the ideal start.
However, the goal appeared to spark Bayern into life, and they responded quickly. Lennart Karl, in superb form this season, struck the equaliser just ten minutes later, ending Arsenal’s clean-sheet run in Europe and restoring balance to what had already become a high-quality contest.
Despite both sides pushing for a second goal, the breakthrough did not arrive again until the second half. Arsenal were forced into an early change when Leandro Trossard was withdrawn due to injury, but the introduction of Noni Madueke proved crucial.
Madueke Leads the Second-Half Charge
Madueke made a significant impact after coming on, and he eventually restored Arsenal’s lead in the 69th minute with a composed finish. The goal shifted the momentum firmly in Arsenal’s favour, and Bayern found fewer and fewer opportunities as the Gunners tightened their defensive structure.
With Bayern committed to finding another equaliser, Arsenal capitalised on the spaces left behind, and Gabriel Martinelli added a third to put the match beyond doubt. From that point, the Gunners controlled proceedings, allowing Arteta to introduce Martin Odegaard and Ben White to help close out the victory.
It was a statement win for Arsenal, who once again proved their credentials as serious contenders in this season’s Champions League.
To every Arsenal fan out there – get behind this team with every sinew in your body. Something VERY special is happening before our eyes!
Stay grounded and stay humble.
Mikel his turning us into a winning machine.
COYG!!
This could be a special season. COYG! I think those Chelsea players that watched this game are quaking in their boots again. Had a nice kick about against a bad Barca side. Won’t be like that this weekend.
Absolutely. This performance was so impressive.
Before this match I thought we’d really struggle against Bayern. Couple of moments where it almost seemed they’d figured us out, but after our second, it was all over.
And the depth we have this season is incredible.
Well ric ionta, you could have a point, Declan Rice declared recently, Arteta is going to do something with Arsenal, no other manager has ever done before.
He went on to say, given time we are going to win everything.
But if I was a betting man, It would be difficult to wager a bet against the Spaniard with Arsenal
Gunsmoke – you’re very right there. Personally, the moment i watched the All Or Nothing documentary, and saw his burning desire to change the mindset of not only the players, but the hierarchy and the fans, i knew we potentially had a VERY special manager on our hands.
Even the smaller things he’s done – like bring in a club dog and call it ‘Win’ and take away the tunnel to make the noise more intimidating down the tunnel, are masterstrokes that not even Le Prof himself, thought of.
Mark my words – Arteta will be a VERY successful manager. I hope that it’s at our club where he gains that success, cos trust me, Barca, RM, Bayern and every other big club around the wordd (incl City) will be eyeing him up in the future.
What a difference squad depth makes. Also helps that everyone else looks a bit crap.
Bayern looks a bit crap too? Cry me those tears 🤣🤣🤣
Yea not every opponent is just bad. Time to accept, as Ben White would say, “we’re quite good at football” 😂
Bayern are unbeaten in Thier domestic league, they beat PSG and Chelsea already this season and before tonight were unbeaten on the UCL, they were not crap but rather we made them look like crap . Have some pride in the club you support or at least pretend to do.
It’s too late guys, we should have sacked Arteta last season, before he wins everything possible 😂😂
And if he wins nothing will you be critical or will you say winning isn’t the only measurement of success?
He will win everything with or without us. I will remain critical to parts of our fanbase whether we are winning titles or not. Tonight I’m just happy 🔴⚪️
Oh I’m happy
But as Arteta and Rice said it’s so early and long way to go
He won’t win everything lol
I think you guys have a problem with Arteta. I’m a silent reader in this forum. From what I see, for the past few years you keep wanting Arteta to be sacked even though Arsenal, when he took over, was in a very bad situation—similar to Manchester United now. If Arsenal’s management had thought the same way as you, I think Arsenal would still be stuck in mid-table and might find it difficult to qualify for the Champions League.
Not should we expect him to. So many variables.
Winning Prem or the CL will do quite nicely though. If he wins the CL he’s immediately an Arsenal legend.
Cheers up mate, last night was massive
Timber/ Rice were aggressive and instrumental for our victory. Eze made a long pass for Martinelli’s goal, Merino’s aerial ability was good and Saka/ Madueke were lively
Great substitutions from Arteta and the players were more confident with short passes in our area in the second half
I hope Merino and Rice will be fully fit for the Stamford Bridge game, because they just played a very tiring game without getting substituted
@Gai, I bet Merino and Rice will be ready thank goodness they played the match in London.
I hope Trossard injury isn’t serious he has been fantastic. Imo, though Matinelli scored I still think Chelsea match will be too soon for him. Not sure he can do 90 minutes.
Though Arteta didn’t give much out during his press conference, the possibility is there that either of Gyokeres or Havertz could be on the bench on Sunday.
Important win both as a statement and also to alow Arteta ro rest some.players in future matches in CL
We have a lot of players coming back who want to impress and earn a starting place so that’s ideal !
COYF
Yeah Sylva, luckily they didn’t need to travel to another country
I’m not sure about Gyokeres and Havertz, but Jesus has been training with the first team
We’ll need a backup for Merino because Chelsea would likely play roughly as Sunderland did, to appease their home supporters
IF, and a big IF at that, we win the EPL and/or UCL and England go far in the world cup, could Rice win the ballon d’or?
Only if Rice win EPL and World Cup as a key player
My God we have a very good team. I’m actually surprised more now than before. Every substitution and replacement seemed better than the first team player. And our defence is something else , very solid very compact. I believe we haven’t conceded more than 2 goals in any match for over two years now.
The team is very special and the Calvary is still on Thier way , Havertz, Gyokeres, Jesus , Gabriel. Bravo to Mikel Arteta. .
Bring on the chavs let’s go tear that bridge down and put them on Thier place.
#COYG.
Tickled pink by the result and the quality of the match. It doesn’t matter that BM were top both at home and in Europe as they came up a really tough opponent tonight. No luck involved and I enjoyed the insight given by Declan Rice in his post match interview; the preparation and each player knowing his job as it has been drilled in.
Indeed Sue, it’s 10 years since the last time we won against them in the CL. This time we won because we have very good football team, with a quality squad, and nothing is coincidence anymore 🔴⚪️
Thumbs up from me Didrik
A statement win tonight. We just beat the current best team in the world.
Hopefully this great form continues.
I also pray Trossard has not gotten injured.
Injuries is the only thing that can stop us from winning a title this season.
We are passing the difficult run test so far.
Now over to Chelsea. Let the boys do their best and don’t drop points and tell the football world that we mean business. COYG!!!
A Trossard injury wouldn’t be a huge issue right now. Martinelli and Madueke back and firing means we can easily give him time off if he has an injury. Even then we still have Eze and Nwaneri who can cover on the wings. Such is the team we’ve built! We’ll be fine.
I quite agree with you.
But I just wish for all our players to be fit and available, especially our important players like Trossard and Gabriel.
Great result and we are starting to look like we fancy winning against these top teams. Not just hoping we win. Its great we are doing well in the league phase and look set for a good rilun again in the knockout. 🤞
Chelsea need putting in their place.
@Reggie
Exactly…👍🏾
Its took 6 years NY but instead of we dare not lose attitude and tactics, we are finally trying to kill off opponents. No excuses and no conspiracies just doing the job as we should.
It has Reggie
A pundit/commentator put it brilliantly as far as I was concerned. This 6 year process has not been about a quick fix. The pathway has been about a complete overhaul which takes time. As the early days of City’s re-emergence and Klopp’s Liverpool have shown; a genuine re-set /rebuild of the whole club was needed. As the pundit said, it isn’t about a cup here and there but an attempt to create a dynasty and a return to relevance for years to come. To be a name to be reckoned with.
That is what is beginning to show through – belatedly but it’s coming.
It has took time Sue and (i don’t do excuses) big mistakes were made that cost us league titles. I said it before and I will say it again. There are no excuses, If Arteta cannot win this or the league this year, he never will. If he does, we could/should dominate for a few years. Arteta and (massively) the owners will deserve the credit due. Ultimately success is what matters. I just feel, it has been a lot longer coming than it should have. I believe Arteta has cost us games, that have cost us titles (you don’t lose 21 points last season from winning positions and blame injuries and conspiracies) but ultimately if he does it this season, wehave to say, he learnt by his mistakes. And hopefully he will be stronger. All is looking good but it has before the last few seasons. 🤞he has learnt.
I don’t think it’s helpful to harp back on what was part of this overhaul. When I and others suggested that Arteta inherited a mess, it was met with derision. If I recall correctly, you felt that he should have won the league within 2 years. The point that a cup here and there without the proper infrastructure would be short term. I can still see that squad in my not so pleasant dreams and several players who were neither good enough or thought that disrespecting the manager was ok.
Arteta is, of course, not blameless, a couple of poor signings, but I do not consider that:- last year was one important injury after another and the year before it was a very good first 11 but a weak bench, didn’t have a part to play. Hence the time it takes to get to this position.
Conspiracies are a red herring, although some of the early season sendings off were head scratching to say the least.
Another red herring has been the amount spent. Chelsea, City and Utd had a bucket load of money to start with and could keep expenditure rolling on thereafter. We didn’t for whatever reason although the stadium must account for a lot of it.
My point is that it’s been an holistic and measured change. Rice waxes lyrical about Arteta’s influence. Players want to play for Arsenal and the bit part players have gone. The board has evolved and despite some opinions that the owners only care about top4, I’ve not seen signs of that in the last 2 years
Arteta’s mistake was to give a time frame allowed which allowed close scrutiny and an expectation that he hasn’t so far delivered on
The owners Sue are hell bent on success. They have poured the money in. I was worried when the old man became sole owner but he has been nothing short of fantastic.
I’d say the money has only really flowed in the last couple of years, I suspect because the club had limited funds due to lack of European football previously. Down to Wenger, Emery and Arteta.
Partly Sue but partly because there is a plan to elevate us?
Not quite sure I understand this point Reggie. I think that the club – Kroenke – have wanted to be ambitious but as Newcastle have found having the Saudi owners, this came several years too late due to different financial practices.
The lack of European football set the club back and once this changed, better players have been bought, but by bit by staying within the financial rules.
The Arteta and Kroenke story has been about the process from being increasingly on shaky ground, to becoming the club that you and I remember when Wenger was in his pomp.
I think all along Kronke wanted make us bigger. It just can not be done quickly. Due to financial restrictions. I do not think Kronke just wants top 4 as some have said.
Some did say that Reggie, I think because his American clubs appeared to be about sustainability and maintaining their value. I think at one point I was persuaded that they would do the same at Arsenal. Fortunately, Josh Kroenke has different ideas and is actively pursuing success.
What hurt me the most was the year we had a great first 11, top for most of it, then didn’t win the league. That hurt like hell! Just needed cover for Saliba and it’ll have been enough, not a player like Holding! Sigh…
Maybe that’s what made Arteta go an a signing spree of defenders, and improve squad depth.
You have highlighted the obvious which unfortunately escapes some people or is deliberately ignored. Holding is a perfect example of an honest pro who was not good enough for an ambitious team. The fact that there were too many players for various reasons who had virtually no resale value speaks volumes about the quality within. Winning an FACup is smashing but it can also involve luck. Pushing for the title is another matter entirely and Holding, Mavropanos, Nketiah, Vieira and Lokonga do not compare to the additions made in the last couple of seasons
“No excuses”. The typical comment of an unthinking so-called fan.
This is the same person who told us Liverpool find a way.
Arteta made “big mistakes” that cost points. Can you elaborate on these “big mistakes”?
Any sensible person knows that injuries can derail a season.
We are winning games more consistently now so you are saying that he has learnt. However, that is just waffle. There is no substance in your comments. Are you able to actually say what has been learnt?
Ah here comes the fluffer ,”unthinking “today is it David ,better than muppets I’ll give you that .
Talking of waffle ,you’ve come out with some over the last few seasons .
He is back, spewing his bile DK.
What a GONK!! The idiot returns
What were the “big mistakes”? What would you have done differently that would have made a difference? Why don’t you give some examples?
Mistakes mate last season all since he’s been there ?
Every manager makes mistakes
You can’t keep saying we are one of the best don’t win anything but zero mistakes were made
Oh David I have but you are blind and obviously haven’t read what I have put. Do me a favour get a personality and People might debate with you. Until then, I don’t think you are worth explaining too.
So nothing.
Just he’s made “big, big mistakes”. “ excuses”. “don’t win anything”.
You can call me blind but all I am seeing here are meaningless soundbites and talking points.
This team is still evolving and several of the players are just into their prime years. The current season is not over so an assessment of accomplishments can be made at the end of the season.
A team that has been consistently second in the PL can reasonably be considered one of the best in Europe despite what Dan seem to think.
In my view, it’s a very cheap argument to state that mistakes were made but provide little useful insight into what that actually means.
SueP has suggested that some mistakes were made in the transfer market. However, the harshest critics here have not suggested anything. So, I say they are waffling and up till now their arguments have been weak.
SueP has also included some context about the Arteta years to date which is something you and certain other miserable so-called fans consistently fail to do. The only people who share your perspectives are the same bunch that have always been negative about Arteta and seek to belittle the work he’s done in improving the club. As it is Arteta has helped turn Arsenal into one of the best in Europe and you are going to have to accept it whether you like it or not.
A team who doesn’t win their own domestic title is not one of the best in Europe
Can I ask then if we made no mistakes why do you think we never get over the line ?
Blokes a simp Reggie
Seems to have a hard -on for you mind .😂
Seems he wants the world to know that anything that Arteta does is nothing short of marvellous ,few more on here trying to stir the pot after every win though
David,
Waffle’s you say. Can I have some honey on mine. Thanks!. 😂🤣👍
David,
You use the word belittle in you’re post.
Well you should know about that word, as you constantly belittle anyone who dares to question Arteta. 🤷♂️
I’d say on today’s showing Derek, that there are wounds on both sides. The tragedy for me is that it won’t take much for the tide to turn against Arteta
He isn’t blameless, but I very much doubt that the Kroenke family would be continuing to support Arteta if they, at least, didn’t believe in him. I wonder what it is they know but we don’t?
What continues to surprise me is the speed at which the swingometer moves according to results. Mid September saw ludicrous amounts of borderline negative Arteta articles and dozens of posters who only appear on high days and holidays, slinging their arrows, only to disappear when results improved. As a Gooner, I’d want to share the joy of a high league and CL standing along with my fellow Gooners.
Nice saying Sue 👍👍
Sue, the swingometer is for every team.
Comon Dan give didrik a break😅
Imo I think we av a great squad( kudos to arteta), I think we’ll win big things and I also think rice is a great player
Coyg Gunners
We just embarrassed Bayern..can’t believe it🕺🕺🕺
Don’t think I have ever watched an Arsenal game this relaxed, and wow did the boys make me scream! Just lost my voice and I wasn’t at the Emirates. I have to get it back for banter pay back!
Magnificent display. Big Ups to Arteta and the Fellas…👏🏾
Early days but some signs we may be better prepared. Lets not forget, last year we beat PSG in the league phase and couldn’t repeat it later. 🤞its different now.
Why are you so negative Reggie? You know very well that it was because of injuries we were short. Now that we have the most enviable squad and sitting at the top of the league and Europe you are still spewing nonsense? What do you guards want? fake fans!!!
Well done to the boys! This team is a machine but I think Declan Rice is the real secret to our success. The way he wins possession and drives attacks, he is excellent. I’m glad Ben White has finally received some game time.
What if we try Gab J as box to box(to relieve Declan)?Harvetz can function in this capacity(to an extent).Then introduce Ife Ibrahim small small until next Summer when we can sell Gab J off and get another solid midfielder if we care.
Within this hectic December/early January period(especially) and throughout the rest of this season,Timber,Eze,Calafiori and Rice particularly should be rotated with care.Even Rice and Timber with their high availability track record,can break down all of a sudden.We shouldn’t take any single player’s availability for granted.
Exceptional !!!!!
Rice and Zubimendi are absolutely tremendous together and everyone really worked hard for this win something that will cement our belief we can go all the way this year. Nest 3 games in EPl critical as they come very fast. if we get thru to the Villa game with full points
I would think we could close on this title finally.
Arteta was really good today and the only player that had an off night was MLS who needs more minutes.
Calafiori and Timebr must be the best fullback duo in EPL. Great win and proud of the team!!!
Chelsea will have an extra day off for the weekend but
must dread facing us at the moment, lets hope MLS
will learn from Calafiori.. what an asset that man is !!
Can we buy Leao in jan ? is he ready for the PL ? I am
hoping that our scouts are working overtime !! Wrap
Rice and Zubi in cotton until next Sunday..
Frightening Arsenal in the making thanks to Berta, Kroenkes, Arteta, Players and Fans. Why not a clean sweep of all the 4 trophies!? COYG!!!!
Urghhhh! Lets actually win one first. League or CL, it doesn’t matter. Lets prove we can walk before we try to run😁
All the 4 trophies is extremely difficult and nearly impossible.
The Premier League is what I crave for the most.
The Champions League can come later.
The double of Premier League and FA Cup would also be great.
Let us conquer the domestic league and go international next season.
Either or, should be attainable. Can we?
This team keeps on exceeding my expectations.
I’ll put my neck out and say it’s not unreasonable to say we can win the double with this team, and I am sure a lot of outsiders looking in are thinking the same.
Look at what we are currently doing, with the injuries we have. With players slowly returning to action, anything is possible with this team.
One will do for starters.
Well played from the lads , onto the next
Arsenal has arrived, and now staking it’s claim against the old guards
The “Keeper’s” excuse that he was barged off his balance by Timber resulting in the opening goal simply does not hold water!
Timber ran forward from the far post, and the goalie attempted to block Timber’s run, but failed. Strength and determination, prevailed!
Timber arrived two yards further forward from the failing Keeper rising high to meet the beautifully delivered corner. What could be more fair than that sweet outcome?
JIm
Well done boys on another excellent showing. It’s so nice to see that with the bigger squad we’ve now got, and if the subs are used correctly we may just be able to celebrate come May.
A long way to go, but stick to the old adage of one game and one Cup at a time. I’m reading on other forums from some opposing fans, who are clearly rattled.
And they are using phrases like, well with the other teams rebuilding Arsenal have an open goal and should win the League. This is clearly to make themselves feel better. As is their constant gripes about set piece goals.
But that’s not our problem, if Arenal can keep their end of the bargain that’s what matters at the end of the day.
Come on you Reds. 👍
Its called banter big D but hopefully the boot is on our foot this season🤣
Reggie,
Which foot are you talking about, the left or right.😂🤣👍