Gunners played a European masterpiece against one of Europe’s greatest teams, Bayern Munich, at home at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal knocked Munich 3-1 in their fifth match of the European Champions League. It maintains their unbeaten run for the season. After five matches they now sit on top of their group at the top, three points ahead of their rivals. It was not merely a win. It spoke volumes of the intention of the leaders of the Premier League as a whole. The tactical awareness would be in combination with a touch of clinical finishing over the German juggernauts.
Timber’s Header Sets the Tone
The key moment came in the 21st minute. Jurrien Timber rose tallest to nod in the teasing corner which was delivered by Bukayo Saka. It shutdown the traveling Bayern fans and put Arsenal on the right track of a deserved lead. Bayern reacted quickly and caught up by levelling out on a cross volleyed in by Lennart Karl following a cross by Michael Olise in the 31 st minute that revealed brief lapses in their defense. Despite being level at halftime, Bayern Munich struggled to match Arsenal’s high press instigated by Declan Rice. Arsenal’s possession was aided by Saka who created three key passes leading to goal scoring opportunities in the second half.
Substitutes Seal the Deal
The interval proved transformative. The adjustments made by Mikel Arteta created a flood. Noni Madueke scored his debut goal for the Gunners. He caught the pinpoint cross of Riccardo Calafiori and driving it past Manuel Neuer in the 68th minute. Eight minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli reflected the spirit of counter-attacking of Arsenal. He ran back, bypassing Neuer, and smacking in the third one. Bayern, with all the effort of Harry Kane, could do little, and their xG was small, at 0.9 to the 2.4 of Arsenal. The aerial advantage that Mikel Merino and Cristhian Mosquera gave the Arsenal team helped to keep the German team from creating very many opportunities.
Arsenal’s Unstoppable Momentum
This victory is the first one that Arsenal has knocked Munich in ten years and it makes them the form team in Europe. Having three matches to go, the qualification is certain, yet Arteta is aiming at the title. Something special, we are creating something special, he grinned after the game. Their defeat by Bayern terminates the European flawless streak of the latter giving importance to the transformation of Arsenal as a challenger to a victor. With the festive fixtures in mind, the Gunners are marching on with dreams of silverware.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
