Arsenal extended their 100% winning run at the top of the Champions League table with a 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
The Gunners took a first-half lead through Jurrien Timber before 17-year-old Lennart Karl equalised, ending Mikel Arteta's side's streak of not conceding a goal in the competition. But after a back-and-forth second half, substitutes Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli found the back of the net and helped the north London club earn a huge victory.
Bayern boss Vincent Kompany has overseen a stellar start to his campaign so far, with the defeat becoming their first in all competitions so far this season, the manager had plenty to say after the game about the difference between themselves and Arsenal.
Kompany: Small Details Cost Bayern vs Arsenal
Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly in action with Bayern Munich's Michael Olise
UEFA Champions League - Arsenal v Bayern Munich - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 26, 2025 Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly in action with Bayern Munich's Michael Olise REUTERS/David Klein
Both teams put a great display on during the game, with Arsenal just coming out on top in a tense affair.
Arteta and Kompany worked together for several years during the latter's playing career at Manchester City, and they know each other very well. The Belgian was asked about losing to a friend and former colleague in the game, and he admitted he noticed a bizarre tactic by the home team that helped them claim the win.
"We've worked together for almost six years, and we've challenged each other a lot. He cares about everything.
"I think even the balls today at the Emirates Stadium, the ball boys didn't give us a ball easily — these are small details."
"But I know from experience that those who have gone through the challenge of suffering repeatedly start to focus on everything to create a small advantage. And they are very good at that on their home ground."
Teams Doing Everything to Stop Arsenal
Arsenal players pose for team photo before Bayern Munich match.
UEFA Champions League - Arsenal v Bayern Munich - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 26, 2025 Arsenal players pose for a team group photo before the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
It's quite clear that the Gunners are among the very best teams in the world right now, and are capable of winning matches no matter how the game goes.
So while Arsenal are ensuring that they are able to give themselves every advantage to beat other teams, they're also being on the other end of teams attempting to stifle them with bizarre tactics.
Recently, when the Gunners travelled to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland, it was noted that the newly-promoted side had moved the advertising boards closer to the pitch to stop Arsenal from taking long throws.
Manager Regis Le Bris admitted that it was done intentionally to gain an advantage, and it seems that Arteta has now taken a leaf out of that book to help his team.
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