Football Dec 07, 2025

Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich: Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli seal statement Champions League win

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich: Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli seal statement Champions League win

Arsenal maintained their perfect start in the Champions League as a statement 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium sent them top of the league phase table.

Three days on from thrashing Spurs in the north London derby, Mikel Arteta's side produced another outstanding display in front of their fans to underline their status as major European contenders.

Jurrien Timber's headed opener from Bukayo Saka's corner was cancelled out by 17-year-old Lennart Karl in the first half but the Gunners blew Bayern Munich away after the break.

Following a succession of set-piece chances, the second goal arrived when two substitutes combined as Riccardo Calafiori's whipped cross was dispatched by Noni Madueke for his first Arsenal goal.

As former Spurs striker Harry Kane toiled, unable to even register a shot at the ground where he has scored more times than any other visiting player, Arsenal rammed home their advantage.

Their third came from a rapid breakaway as Eberechi Eze, Arsenal's hat-trick hero against Spurs, released substitute Martinelli, who beat Manuel Neuer to the ball and raced clear to finish into an empty net to mark his first appearance in a month with a goal.

Arsenal were good value for the two-goal lead and while Karl's well-worked goal ended their run of clean sheets in the competition, a fifth consecutive win puts them three points clear of second-placed Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the league phase table.

The Gunners now move on to Sunday's game against Chelsea, live on SportNews at Stamford Bridge, where they will aim to extend their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League as they continue their fight for silverware on multiple fronts.

The only blot on their evening was an injury to Leandro Trossard, who had to be replaced by Madueke in the first half. "He said he felt something and we didn't want to take any risks," said Arteta.

In better news on the injury front, there was a comeback appearance from captain Martin Odegaard, who came on as a late substitute having recovered from his knee issue.

For the second time in three days, there was a party mood inside the Emirates Stadium when the final whistle blew. Sunday's win underlined their Premier League credentials. This one showed they might have what it takes to go the distance in Europe too.

It's 12 wins from 13 games in all competitions but this, against Bayern Munich, the team described by Arteta as the best in Europe, was something else. Arsenal made Vincent Kompany's side look decidedly average during a rampant second-half performance.

It started with a barrage of set-pieces after the break. Bayern had already experienced the force of Arsenal's dead-ball machine for Timber's first-half goal but the bombardment intensified following the restart, setting the tone for what followed.

Bayern were left dizzied but the goals came from other sources, reminders, like the four goals against Spurs on Sunday, that this side can hurt you in various ways. The third was a reminder of their counter-attacking threat. The second also came from a turnover.

The substitutes decided the game, which is not that surprising considering their quality. How many sides around Europe can bring on five players of the quality of Madueke, Martinelli, Calafiori, Ben White and Odegaard? Arsenal's depth, even in the context of their continued injury problems, is one of many factors in their favour.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta: "I have to praise our players because I think they had an incredible match against, in my opinion, the best team in Europe.

"Individually, we were immense to resolve all the challenges that this team brings to the table. They know how hard we worked to prepare for every single game.

"We know that the margins are super small. We started the week really well against Spurs, winning here at home.

"Today is another massive victory, but that's it. Now I'm going to go home, have a nice dinner, and tomorrow morning we'll start to prepare for Stamford Bridge.

"We've certainly been very, very consistent in the competition so far, but it's just the beginning.

"We are so pleased with what we've seen today. Again, the energy that we created in the stadium, what the team transmits, the energy that we bring, the quality that we play with.

"It's incredible and we have to maintain that because it's still very early."

Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany: "First of all, I have to congratulate Arsenal. I think, in the end, a deserved win for them.

"The first half felt like we could edge it. You can't keep a team like Arsenal without threat for an entire game but I felt we had many reasons to feel OK at half-time.

"But in the second half they came out with more purpose, more sharpness on the simple things in the game.

"Of course, they always have the set-plays to shift the momentum, but at the same time, we allowed them to gain control in too many phases of play."

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane told TNT Sports: "It was a tough game, which is kind of what we expected.

"It was a good battle in the first half which was fairly even.

"Second half we didn't quite have the same energy or intensity and we lost too many duels. It's our first loss of the season.

"We don't want to panic too much about it. But we will learn about it for sure."

Tags:

football report id:547992

Share this article

Related Posts

World Cup 2026: Iraq 1-4 Norway - Erling Haaland scores twice on tournament debut as Stale Solbakken's side make winning start

World Cup 2026: Iraq 1-4 Norway - Erling Haaland scores twice on tournament debut as Stale Solbakken's side make winning start

Erling Haaland starred on his World Cup debut, scoring twice to help Norway to a 4-1 win over Iraq in Boston.The Manchester City striker was kept quie...

World Cup 2026: Austria 3-1 Jordan - European side earn first World Cup win in 36 years with victory over debutants

World Cup 2026: Austria 3-1 Jordan - European side earn first World Cup win in 36 years with victory over debutants

Austria won their first World Cup game in 36 years with a 3-1 Group J victory over tournament debutants Jordan in San Francisco.Ralf Rangnick's side n...

DR Congo: Axel Tuanzebe hoping Leopards can make lasting impact beyond football at first World Cup since 1974

DR Congo: Axel Tuanzebe hoping Leopards can make lasting impact beyond football at first World Cup since 1974

DR Congo are preparing for their first World Cup in over half a century, while a war is going on back home.The smiles of a nation, making their first...

England vs Croatia: Thomas Tuchel's selection dilemmas for World Cup analysed - four positions up for grabs

England vs Croatia: Thomas Tuchel's selection dilemmas for World Cup analysed - four positions up for grabs

Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers? Bukayo Saka or Noni Madueke? Anthony Gordon or Marcus Rashford? John Stones, Ezri Konsa or Marc Guehi? Your Site' Ne...

World Cup 2026: England vs Croatia predictions and best bets

World Cup 2026: England vs Croatia predictions and best bets

England take on Croatia in their first game at World Cup 2026 and our betting expert Lewis Jones, aka Jones Knows, is backing the Three Lions to win b...

Cristiano Ronaldo's last World Cup chance with Portugal could be his best - but Roberto Martinez must manage him

Cristiano Ronaldo's last World Cup chance with Portugal could be his best - but Roberto Martinez must manage him

The nation with the most representatives in Paris Saint-Germain’s starting line-up for the 2026 Champions League final were Portugal, just as they had...