Arsenal secured a 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League at the Emirates Stadium, preserving their unbeaten run in the competition. Jurrien Timber opened the scoring, Lennart Karl equalized for Bayern, before substitutes Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli struck to seal the win. The result moves Arsenal top of the 36-team table after five matches.
Arsenal hosted Bayern Munich on November 26, 2025, in a top-of-the-table Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium. Both teams entered with perfect records, but Arsenal's second-half dominance ended Bayern's unbeaten start to the season across all competitions.
The game began at a high tempo, with Bayern controlling possession through 17-year-old Lennart Karl in the number 10 role behind Harry Kane. Arsenal struck first in the 22nd minute when Jurrien Timber headed home Bukayo Saka's inswinging corner, beating Manuel Neuer at the near post. The goal shifted momentum, though Eberechi Eze missed a chance to extend the lead by squaring to Saka instead of shooting.
Bayern leveled in the 32nd minute with a fine team move: Joshua Kimmich's long pass found Serge Gnabry, whose cushioned volley set up Karl to blast home from close range. This was Arsenal's first goal conceded in the competition this season. The first half ended 1-1, with both sides creating chances—Karl forced a save from David Raya, while Mikel Merino headed over.
Arsenal dominated after the break. Merino missed a header from a set-piece, and Cristhian Mosquera nodded another requiring Neuer's save. Declan Rice charged forward but was denied by Neuer. Substitutes turned the tide: Riccardo Calafiori's whipped cross in the 70th minute found Noni Madueke at the back post for 2-1. Eight minutes later, Martinelli skipped past the onrushing Neuer to roll into an empty net for 3-1.
Mikel Arteta praised his team's adaptation: “We dominated the game... Individually, we were exceptional.” Declan Rice, named player of the match, said: “The toughest game tactically we've had all season.” Harry Kane reflected: “Second half we didn't have the same intensity... It's our first loss of the season and we don't want to panic.”
Arsenal's set-piece threat and depth proved decisive, with Bayern struggling post-interval. The win gives Arsenal five victories from five, while Bayern remain poised for a top-eight finish.
