Arsenal set the pace in the Premier League and performed equally well in the Champions League, maintaining a perfect record as they defeated Bayern Munich at the Emirates.
They are already at the top of the Premier League. And now Arsenal have ended Bayern Munich’s unbeaten start to the season and are top of the Champions League.
It was a truly great victory and performance as they overwhelmed Bayern and moved into first place in the Champions League with their fifth straight win. They were too good to be true as Arsenal overcame Bayern’s leaky and weak defence, enjoying a big European night at the Emirates.
That was epitomized by Declan Rice’s masterclass, with the England midfielder completely dominating the game and enjoying every minute of what will go down as one of his best performances since joining Arsenal for £105m.
No wonder Arsenal fans scream “Declan Rice, we got him for half the price”. And they screamed even louder when Rice tackled former Bayern Tottenham captain Harry Kane, causing him to whip them into the crowd.
It was definitely not Kane’s night as he was part of Rice and Arsenal’s Pom team. That’s because Noni Maduke and Gabriel Martinelli came on as substitutes and scored the goals in the second half.
read more: Arsenal go into full swing as Mikel Arteta rolls the dice to beat Bayern Munichread more: Arsenal star’s ‘clever’ trick speaks volumes about his outrage over Bayern’s goal
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta must have grimaced when yet another player, Leandro Trossard, went down in the first half and limped off to be placed on the injured list along with Victor Gokeres and Kai Havertz. But Maduke and Martinelli stepped up and took their chances, and that has been the story of Arsenal’s season in the race for the Premier League title.
They have the depth and quality to find solutions even when they lose players. Additionally, they have players who are ready and willing to take a chance. Arsenal were brilliant, overwhelming Bayern and showing they are potential winners in this competition as Arteta is building something really special.
They also exposed Bayern, who, despite a great start to the season, leaked goals and looked like they were conceding every time the ball entered the box.
I really thought the team, managed by former Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany, could defend better, but they have conceded five goals from set pieces in their last five games.
Arsenal took the lead in the 22nd minute when Bukayo Saka swung a near-post corner and Julian Timber curled his shot inside the far post. Arsenal have scored 10 goals from corners in all competitions this season, the most by any team in Europe’s top five leagues.
However, Arsenal’s lead lasted only 10 minutes. And sadly, it was even more disappointing as Miles Lewis-Skelly was exposed in defence, in a rare start, with England manager Thomas Tuchel watching from the stands.
Joshua Kimmich’s long ball found Serge Gnabry, and his perfect cross found teenager Lennart Karl. Incredibly, German Under-21 starlet Karl, at 17 years and 277 days old, became the youngest player to score in a Champions League match against Arsenal.
Trossard left. Arteta was booked as his frustration boiled over. So did Kompany and Arsenal, with Bayern on the attack after half-time but were unable to find a breakthrough. Mikel Merino approached. Bayern looked very unstable. But Arsenal didn’t have to wait any longer.
Rice won the ball in the 70th minute. Riccardo Calafioli, who replaced Lewis Skelly, charged down the left and sent in a low cross that Madueke slotted into the goal. It was a great moment for Madueke, who arrived for £55 million in the summer and charmed Arsenal fans with his great style. He himself has only recently returned from injury, but was in full swing as he prepares to return to his old club Chelsea on Sunday.
Then, in the 77th minute, Bayern came looking for an equalizer. But Arsenal moved on. Ebelesi Eze played the ball forward and Martinelli ran through, controlled the ball, took a touch past keeper Manuel Neuer and side-footed it into the empty net.
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