Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich: Madueke and Martinelli send Gunners top of Champions League | OneFootball

A second-half surge helped Arsenal overcome Bayern Munich at the Emirates in the UEFA Champions League, making it five wins from five for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Goals from Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli sealed all three points on Wednesday night, continuing the Gunners’ perfect start to their Champions League campaign.

Lennart Karl pulled one back for the German champions in the first half, but it wasn’t enough to halt Arsenal’s momentum as Bayern slipped to their first defeat of the season.

As it happened

Bayern Munich started brightly, enjoying most of the possession, but it was the North London side who struck first.

Timber met Bukayo Saka’s brilliant corner at the front post, guiding his header past Manuel Neuer to give Arsenal the lead.

However, a superb ball over the top from Joshua Kimmich released the onrushing Serge Gnabry, who squared for Lennart Karl to slot past David Raya and hand the German side a lifeline.

The first half ended with both teams searching for openings, but the quality and organisation on either side made clear chances hard to come by, with fine margins always likely to decide the contest.

Arsenal emerged for the second half with renewed belief and regained the lead in the 69th minute.

Substitute Riccardo Calafiori picked out Madueke inside the six-yard box, and the winger tucked home his first goal in an Arsenal shirt to restore the advantage for the Premier League leaders.

The Gunners continued to press, and just eight minutes later, they extended their lead through Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian broke away on the counter and capitalised on a mistake from Neuer, racing through unchallenged to slot home and send the Emirates into celebration.

Arteta’s side played with passion and flair until the final whistle, leaving the Emirates believing this could be their season after a contest that will go down as one of the games of the campaign.

Another huge clash awaits Arsenal as they travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, where they’ll look to extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, return to Germany with a point to prove as they prepare to take on St. Pauli in the Bundesliga.

The Lineups

BAY: Neuer; Laimer, Tah, Upamecano, Stanisic; Pavlovic, Kimmich; Gnabry, Olise, Karl; Kane