By Frank Ulom
LONDON (CONVERSEER) – Arsenal ended Bayern Munich’s unbeaten start to the season with a convincing 3–1 win in the Champions League on Wednesday, delivering a dominant second-half performance that overwhelmed the Bundesliga champions at the Emirates Stadium.
Bayern controlled much of the early possession, moving the ball confidently through midfield, yet their struggles at defending set-pieces proved costly. Arsenal broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Jurrien Timber rose sharply at the near post to head beyond Manuel Neuer, giving the hosts an important advantage.
Vincent Kompany’s side responded well and were rewarded 10 minutes later. Serge Gnabry’s low cross from the right found teenager Lennart Karl, who finished first time to continue his impressive scoring run on the European stage.
The second half, however, belonged entirely to Arsenal. The Gunners increased their intensity, stretching Bayern repeatedly and forcing Neuer into strong saves from Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice. Bayern’s resistance broke when substitute Riccardo Calafiori delivered a precise cross to the back post, where Noni Madueke arrived unmarked to guide the ball home.
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Arsenal sealed the result late on through Gabriel Martinelli. The forward capitalised on a defensive lapse, rounded Neuer far outside the penalty area, and calmly placed the ball into an empty net, ending Bayern’s hopes of a late comeback.
The win strengthens Arsenal’s position in the group and hands Bayern their first defeat of the campaign, exposing defensive vulnerabilities that Kompany will need to address as the competition progresses.
