Key Takeaways:
- Arsenal recorded a 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich, ending the German side’s unbeaten season
- With five consecutive wins, Arsenal became the only side with a perfect record in the Champions League
- Bayern, dominant in past matchups, remained in third position with 12 points despite the loss
Match Analysis: Arsenal Outclass Bayern to End Unbeaten Run
Arsenal recorded a comprehensive 3-1 win over Bayern Munich at home, ending the German champions’ undefeated start to the season. Jurriën Timber opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a header from a corner, capitalising on a mistake by Manuel Neuer. Although Lennart Karl drew Bayern level in the 32nd minute, second-half goals from substitutes Noni Madueke (69′) and Gabriel Martinelli (76′) ensured victory for Mikel Arteta’s men. Ricardo Calafiori, another substitute, set up the second goal for Madueke as Arsenal’s attack flourished after the break.
ANOTHER BIG EUROPEAN WIN IN THE BOOKS ✅ pic.twitter.com/8bEDZ1BcEL
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 26, 2025
Bayern struggled to get a foothold, registering just two shots on target – both from Karl – as star forwards Harry Kane and Michael Olise were kept silent throughout the night. Manuel Neuer made some significant saves, but was culpable for two of Arsenal’s goals, casting a shadow over his performance.
Statistical Comparison: Arsenal Dominate Key Metrics
| Statistic | Arsenal | Bayern Munich |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | 1 |
| Shots on Target | 8 | 2 (both by Karl) |
| Substitutes Contributing | Noni Madueke (goal), Gabriel Martinelli (goal), Ricardo Calafiori (assist) | Kim Min-jae (chance created) |
Line-ups and Tactical Notes
Mikel Arteta faced a series of selection challenges, with Gabriel Magalhães and Kai Havertz ruled out due to injury. Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyökeres were also unavailable, leading to changes in the starting XI. Cristian Mosquera and Miles Lewis-Skelly began in defence, replacing Piero Hincapié and Ricardo Calafiori, while Mikel Merino spearheaded the attack, supported by Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Leandro Trossard. Martin Ødegaard featured as a substitute.
Vincent Kompany, on the other hand, dealt with the suspension of Luis Díaz and injuries to Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies. He made three changes from their last Bundesliga outing, bringing in Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich, and Konrad Laimer. The front line consisted of Harry Kane, Serge Gnabry, Michael Olise, and prospect Lennart Karl.
Key Moments and Match Flow
- 22′ – Jurriën Timber headed in Bukayo Saka’s corner, exploiting Neuer’s misjudgment
- 32′ – Lennart Karl equalised following a precise sequence involving Joshua Kimmich and Serge Gnabry
- 69′ – Ricardo Calafiori supplied Noni Madueke in the box to restore Arsenal’s lead
- 76′ – Eberechi Eze delivered a long pass for Gabriel Martinelli, who finished calmly for 3:1
Arsenal nearly doubled their advantage shortly after the opening goal but were denied by Eberechi Eze’s misfiring effort. The first half ended with the teams on level terms after Karl’s response for Bayern, and Trossard departing injured. Arsenal’s second-half display overwhelmed the Bavarian defence. The hosts created several further opportunities, while Bayern threatened only sporadically – a rare lapse for a traditionally imposing force in this fixture.
Rivalry and Historical Context
This result marked a significant shift in the recent history between the clubs. Bayern had not lost to Arsenal in their last five encounters, winning four and drawing once – including two emphatic 5-1 scorelines. Arsenal’s previous victory dated back to the 2015 group stage, when they won 2-0. Nearly ten years later, the Gunners repeated the feat, reasserting themselves in the rivalry.
Champions League Standings and Domestic Form
Arsenal now stand alone at the summit of the Champions League group with a flawless record after five matches. Bayern, despite this setback, retained third position with 12 points. Both clubs continue to lead their respective domestic leagues with strong form.
