Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Trossard, Merino
Subs: Kepa, Setford, White, Hincapie, Odegaard, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Nwaneri, Calafiori
Arsenal maintained their 100% record in the Champions League after a thrilling 3-1 win over Bayern Munich at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.
Mikel Arteta made two changes to the side that breezed past Sp*rs on Sunday, with Cristhian Mosquera and Myles Lewis-Skelly replacing Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori.
Martin Odegaard was deemed fit enough for a place on the bench (alongside Martinelli and Madueke), although Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz were still not ready enough to feature.
FIRST HALF
Bayern settled quickly and took charge of possession within the opening ten minutes, although Arsenal looked dangerous in transition and were looking to test the visitors’ high line whenever possible.
Arteta’s men were typically comfortable in their shape despite surrendering the ball, with Bayern playing a very aggressive press and high line to try and squeeze the hosts in their own half.
However, with 22 minutes on the clock Arsenal did break the deadlock and it came from a set piece – ending a run of ten non-corner goals in a row.
After Martin Zubimendi did well to win a corner deep into Bayern territory, an inch-perfect delivery from Bukayo Saka saw Jurrien Timber get in ahead of Manuel Neuer and head into an empty net despite complaints from the goalkeeper and his manager. 1-0.
There was a golden chance for Arsenal to double their lead when Eberechi Eze showed great skill to bring a long ball down and nutmeg Upamecano, but after playing a smart one-two with Mikel Merino he fluffed his lines in front of goal with only Neuer to beat.
But missed opportunities are often punished at the highest level and almost straight after Eze missed his chance, Bayern went up the other end and equalised with their first really dangerous moment of the game.
Joshua Kimmich was given too much time in midfield and picked out Serge Gnabry in behind with a perfect pass, before the German found Lennart Karl in the middle – first time on the volley – and the teenager finished well beyond Raya. 1-1.
You can maybe look at Lewis-Skelly who was caught under the ball or Mosquera who was slightly too slow to react in the middle, but every step was perfectly executed by the visitors whose quality was on full show.
There was another dangerous moment for Bayern when they caught Arsenal in transition and suddenly found themselves 3-v-2 in the final third, but Josip Stanisic shot wide when he probably should have found Michael Olise inside.
It wouldn’t be an Arsenal game without an injury, with Leandro Trossard limping off before the break with what looked like a calf(?) problem and was swiftly replaced by Noni Madueke.
SECOND HALF
Into the second half, there was an early sight of goal for Saka after Kimmich gave the ball away but his effort was tipped over comfortably by Neuer, before Merino blazed over after good work from Eze and Saka.
Arsenal were very much in the ascendancy and continued to test Bayern’s vulnerability from set pieces, and should have put themselves ahead when Merino rose highest at the back post – who somehow headed wide – before another pinpoint delivery from Rice saw Mosquera test Neuer again from close range.
Momentum had swung completely and the Gunners were looking quicker and sharper to every ball, and a dominant run from Rice – straight through the centre of the pitch – called Neuer into action again, who stopped his low drive brilliantly with Saka unable to convert the rebound.
Bayern were living dangerously and it was a miracle that Arsenal hadn’t taken the lead with a number great chances in quick succession.
But the German champions could only escape for so long and the eventual second goal was inspired by some second half changes, after Riccardo Calafiori replaced Lewis-Skelly and Madueke moved to the right with Martinelli replacing Saka.
After Bayern gave the ball away cheaply, Eze played Calafiori down the left hand side and his perfectly whipped cross was tucked away at the back post by Madueke who got ahead of his man – for his first Arsenal goal. 2-1.
In the blink of an eye, it was three after Martinelli – sent through by Eze – breezed away from Kimmich and beyond the advancing Neuer who got caught in no man’s land way out of his goal, leaving the Brazilian with a simple finish into an empty net. 3-1.
This was a serious second half performance from Arteta’s men who were steamrolling their opponents, and were treated to pace and power off the bench for the first time in a long while which paid dividends.
Martin Odegaard and Ben White were also sent on with ten minutes to play, handing Eze and Timber a well-earned rest after their sizeable contributions this week.
Despite the comfortable scoreline and dominant second half performance, Bayern were comfortably the best team Arsenal have faced this season and they still found an extra gear to secure a big win.
Spurs swatted aside, Bayern beaten – all eyes move to Stamford Bridge after a brilliant night at Emirates Stadium.