PLAYERS RATINGS | Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich – Bayern lose for the first time this season | OneFootball

Possibly the biggest tie within matchday 5 of the Champions League was Arsenal vs Bayern Munich. Going into this one, both clubs sat top of their domestic leagues and are yet to lose in the competition. 

For Bayern, Vincent Kompany made three changes from the side that beat SC Freiburg 6-2 a few days before. Joshua Kimmich came back into the line-up following a recent injury, whilst there were starts for 17-year-old Lennart Karl and former Arsenal man Serge Gnabry, who replaced the suspended Luis Díaz. 

It was a rather timid start from both sides, who engaged in a midfield battle for the opening 20 minutes without either side really testing each other’s defence or goalkeeper. 

The first big chance of the night fell to Arsenal, and they took it through another vintage set piece. Saka with a world-class delivery, and Timber rising higher than anyone else. 

Manuel Neuer got nowhere near the ball in his attempts to punch clear. There were some complaints from the Bayern bench, but they were half-hearted to say the least.

And so a familiar chant was bellowing around the Emirates Stadium: “One-nil to the Arsenal.” 

After the goal, it took Bayern five minutes to really get back onto the ball. Arsenal had stepped up the pace and had the opportunity to make it 2-0. 

A piece of individual brilliance from Eze gave him space in the box, but instead of shooting, he tried to set up Saka, but couldn’t quite execute the pass. 

No sooner than two minutes later did Bayern find themselves level. 

Kimmich played an outrageous 40-yard pass over to Gnabry, whose first-time cross set up Karl, who finished it first time. 

It looked simple, but for that play to result in a goal, everyone’s touch had to be inch-perfect, and it was. 

That is now four goals for the 17-year-old this season, who is having a debut senior campaign to remember. 

Bayern ended the first half on top and would have been pleased with their efforts at the break, set-piece goal aside. 

The second half began at a frantic pace and never really showed signs of slowing down. Arsenal were the team in the ascendancy and came close a number of times through their deadly set-piece routines. 

First Merino had a glancing header, before Neuer was forced to save at close range after a Mosquera header nearly found the back of the net moments later. 

Possibly Arsenal’s biggest chance to date then came in the 62nd minute. Declan Rice came bursting through the defence and forced Neuer into another remarkable save with his feet. The save then cannoned off Laimer, but the ball somehow stayed out, and eventually made its way into the grateful hands of Neuer.

It was all one-way traffic, and eventually Arsenal got their deserved breakthrough. 

Upemacano gave the ball away cheaply to Rice, who quickly played it to Eze, who played in Calafiori down the left. His brilliant cross was met inside the six-yard box by Madueke, who claimed his first goal in the Champions League and his first for Arsenal. 

Five minutes later and the game got beyond Bayern. 

Martinelli won the ball back in his own box before laying it off and getting the ball back over the top of the Bayern defence. Neuer came rushing out of his box in classic fashion, but this time got nowhere the ball. Martinelli was left to tap the ball into the empty net. 

And so Bayern lose for the first time this season after being convincingly beaten by a splendid Arsenal side. To put it into perspective, Bayern’s last loss was to PSG in the Club World Cup last summer.

In terms of the Champions League, Bayern should still qualify comfortably for the knockout phase, despite the setback. 

Plenty to ponder for Vincent Kompany’s side as they look ahead to their Bundesliga clash against St. Pauli on the weekend.

Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich Player Ratings

Neuer (5) – Stanišić (5), Upamecano (4), Tah (5), Laimer (5) – Kimmich (6), Pavlović (5) – Olise (6), Karl (7), Gnabry (6) – Kane (4).

Used Subs: Kim (5), Goretzka (5), Jackson (5), Bischof (5), Guerreiro (5).

GGFN Player of the Match: Lennart Karl (7)

Possibly the only Bayern player who could hold their heads high this evening. The youngster showed he belongs at this level, particularly in the first half when Bayern enjoyed more of the ball. Two goals in two Champions League games now for the 17-year-old starlet. 

GGFN | Jamie Allen