Arsenal outplayed Bayern Munich 3‑1, earning a dominant second‑half performance and extending their Champions League lead to three points.
Mikel Arteta praised his Arsenal players after a 3‑1 victory over Bayern Munich, calling the six‑time European champions “the best team in Europe.” The Gunners took control in the second half to finish as worthy winners at the Emirates.
Jurrien Timber opened the scoring late in the first half, only for Bayern’s 17‑year‑old midfielder Lennart Karl to equalize moments later. Noni Madueke restored Arsenal’s lead with his first club goal, and substitute Gabriel Martinelli capitalized on a massive mistake from Manuel Neuer.
The win lifts Arsenal to five wins out of five in the Champions League, three points clear of Bayern.
“I have to praise our players because I think they had an incredible match against, in my opinion, the best team in Europe,” Arteta said. “Individually, we were immense to resolve all the challenges that this team brings to the table.”
Arteta highlighted the tight margins in the competition. “We started the week really well against Spurs, winning here at home (4‑1). Today is another massive victory, but that’s it. Now go home, have a nice dinner, and tomorrow morning we’ll start to prepare for Stamford Bridge (against Chelsea).”
He warned that qualification for the last‑16 should be sealed quickly but tough challenges lie ahead. “The energy that we created in the stadium, what the team transmits, the energy that we bring, the quality that we play with, it’s incredible and we have to maintain that because it’s still very early.”
Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League for three straight seasons, and there’s a growing sense something special might finally be on the horizon. Yet Arteta insists the focus returns to Thursday training and Sunday’s clash with second‑placed Chelsea.
