Who is number 1 in Europe? This question was temporarily answered clearly in London. Because Arsenal FC overran FC Bayern in an impressive manner in the 3-1 (1-1) win in the Champions League. After the goals from Jurrien Timber (22nd minute) and Lennart Karl (32nd), the hosts overwhelmed the German record champions with their style of play, Noni Madueke (69th) and Gabriel Martinelli (77th) decided the game.
“Arsenal are a very strong opponent, it’s not for nothing that they had won all of their previous games. They are very strong, very dominant and had a phase in which they pushed us in at the back. We didn’t do much going forward in the second half.”said Serge Gnabry on “DAZN”. “You have to accept when you lose. We’ve had a great series so far, so we don’t have to work on anything, we just carry on as before.”
Opposing corners are a problem for FC Bayern
Arsenal and Bayern initially showed what often happens when two teams meet that have an exceptional level of defense and offense. The first half had tremendous intensity without any rest periods and was high-class at all times, but it was not something that would make a highlight clip. There was a lack of opportunity, but certainly no entertainment value.
And when teams neutralize each other so much in their class, standard situations often make the difference – and it just so happens that Arsenal have mastered this skill very well on the offensive and Bayern had only recently shown major weaknesses. Coach Vincent Kompany’s team conceded two goals from corners against Freiburg (6:2) and a similar situation rang in London too.
Bukayo Saka brought the ball into the middle, where Manuel Neuer was briefly blocked – but not punishably – so that Jurrien Timber got to the ball in front of the Bavarian goalkeeper and nodded it in (22nd). Neuer tapped his chest with both index fingers, telling his teammates that he was responsible for this hit.
Kimmich cracks Arsenal defense with super pass
Then Bayern needed a little luck when Eberechi Eze, who had scored a hat trick against Tottenham Hotspur (4-1) at the weekend, completed a lightning attack too imprecisely (31′), almost in return the Kompany team showed their great class. Joshua Kimmich played a precise ball over 60 meters, which Serge Gnabry crossed with a direct volley into the middle, where Lennart Karl equalized with a contact (32nd).
The pictures were similar, as long as the two teams combined and tried to wear down the opposing defense, nothing happened. It took more confusing moments, quickly overcoming large distances or rehearsing with stationary balls. The first 45 minutes were not fireworks, but they were qualitatively what was expected from the duel between the superior league leaders from England and Germany and the top duo of the Champions League group stage.
Another top game after the half-time break
After the break the game changed and Arsenal took control, putting Bayern under pressure. Neuer saved several times in this phase and things became particularly difficult for him when the Gunners had set pieces. First Mikel Merino was unable to place his header from five meters (51′), but with the next corner kick he had another free shot that went just past the post (58′).
Shortly afterwards, the keeper saved against Timber, who had headed the ball just in front of him after a free kick from the half-field (60′). Neuer had his big moment two minutes later when Declan Rice marched over 50 meters and got through to him, then tried a shot into the far corner. The former DFB national goalkeeper extended his left leg and made a great save (62′).
Madueke scores, Neuer’s trip goes wrong
But then the English rewarded themselves. Shortly after coming on as a substitute, Riccardo Calafiori hit a perfect cross that Noni Madueke converted at the back post (69′). The lead was more than deserved for the Gunners, whose performance in the second half up to this point had been a show of force. After another great shot from Kimmich, Gnabry could have canceled it out again, but during his flying move he missed the ball (72′).
Manuel Neuer beaten: FC Bayern against Arsenal
And then another Bayern professional flew past the ball and decided the game. With a long ball from Gabriel Martinelli, the keeper stormed around 40 meters out of his goal, which the Brazilian took advantage of to place the ball past him from the air and then push it into the empty goal – the 3-1 and the decision (77th). And given the elemental violence of Londoners, it was feared that it would become even more obvious.
Will St. Pauli now feel Bayern’s Arsenal frustration?
It wasn’t just a brilliant performance from the players, but also from Arteta. Martinelli came into the game a few minutes earlier at the same time as Calafiori – the two jokers made the decision. And that gave FC Bayern, who suffered their first defeat of the season, a completely new feeling after their breakthrough in recent weeks.
Arsenal FC, who are now leaders in the Champions League group stage, were a bit too big even for the German record champions that evening. The next league opponent, FC St. Pauli (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.), who has lost the last eight games, might have been viewed with concern, as the Munich team will want to make amends.