Declan Rice was a powerhouse in Arsenal’s midfield - Getty Images/David PriceJason BurtThu, November 27, 2025 at 10:23 AM UTC·36 min readb'
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There was a sequence, when they were 2-1 up against Bayern Munich in what turned into a real statement performance from Arsenal, that summed up where they are at right now. And that is the best team in Europe.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt was not a goal or a shot or a save or even a piece of skill. Instead, it was a tackle. The determination to make a tackle. And the reaction to a tackle.
Declan Rice surged into the Bayern half and tried to find Riccardo Calafiori. His pass was intercepted, with the German champions trying to counter-attack through Harry Kane.
But Rice was having none of it as he sprinted back to slide in and stop Kane, conceding a throw-in before reacting by jutting his arms up in the air in celebration. “Yes,” he shouted, before tugging on the captain’s armband that he was wearing.
Two of England’s leaders, the captain in Kane and his deputy, Rice, the man effectively waiting to eventually take over, in front of the head coach Thomas Tuchel in a World Cup season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRice and Arsenal emphatically came out on top, and that moment, that little vignette, captured exactly their current strengths.
Is there a better midfielder in the world – at present – than the 26-year-old? Maybe Barcelona’s Pedri, but he does not quite possess the power and personality of Rice, who is turning into such a dominant force. Monstrous in fact.
“Individually we were immense,” Mikel Arteta said afterwards, none of his players more so than Rice who rightly walked off with the man-of-the-match award to add to his growing collection. Those four letters – MOTM – now seem to be constantly linked to his name. Rice finished 27th in the Ballon d’Or rankings. He will be much higher next time round.
“There was something in the stomach and everyone was bang up for it,” Rice said, and that challenge on Kane was almost guttural, coming from deep within. “The mentality has been different this year. There is a hunger and desire for us to win every game,” he added.
Rice celebrates with the fans as he heads down the tunnel - Getty Images/Julian FinneyNo one personifies that more than Rice. And to think, there had been talk pre-match of the need to rest him, especially with Chelsea away – first against second – in the Premier League on Sunday. But Rice’s desire to play, and Arteta’s desire to put out a strong team and gain another win, superseded that.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRice has also been undeniably helped by the signing of Martin Zubimendi, who has liberated him into being the all-action midfielder that he should be. There was another moment, as Rice again drove forward, thrillingly breaking past the Bayern defence only to be denied by Manuel Neuer’s outstretched leg. Such box-to-box midfielders, in the hurly-burly of the modern game, are rare.
“He’s Spain No 6 and you know exactly what you have got with him,” Rice said of Zubimendi, who is providing the platform for the Englishman to express himself. “Are you not entertained,” Rice posted on social media, and there really is something gladiatorial about him – as Tottenham Hotspur’s Xavi Simons found out on Sunday after he was upended. Arsenal won that fixture 4-1.
Having claimed north London as theirs they made a far grander pronouncement. Arteta claimed that Bayern are Europe’s best – and this was their first defeat of the season in all competitions – and while Paris St-Germain will have a claim, only Arsenal have a perfect record of five wins from five ties as they sit on top of the table.
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Can they go on and win it? There are no prizes in November – and remember how imperious Liverpool were in the expanded new group stage last season – but confidence is coursing through them to such an extent that they, currently, will be the most feared and formidable opponent. And the one with the greatest depth which may, ultimately, in such a gruelling and challenging season, prove decisive. They have the resources to cope.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMuch has been made of the strength of Arsenal’s squad and here it was in full force with substitutes Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli both returning from injury to score, and captain Martin Odegaard back on the pitch. Heck, they could even afford to take off Bukayo Saka at 1-1 and still win so convincingly.
There was little jeopardy to this contest given both sides will certainly finish in the top eight and progress to the knock-out rounds, but that made the mentality and desire Arsenal played with all the more admirable.
They really wanted this and, in a relentless second half, that manifested itself in a power-play seized by Rice that will reverberate around this competition.
At half-time it was even. A goal apiece. Arsenal had claimed the lead through their 10th goal from a corner this season, with Jurrien Timber stealing in to head home as they exploited their strength and probed a strange and obvious weakness Bayern have at set-pieces.
But then Bayern hit back, with their 17-year-old prodigy Lennart Karl sweeping in a shot after Serge Gnarby cushioned a cross to him.
It was an eye-catching goal even if the reality was that Myles Lewis-Skelly was caught out. In front of Tuchel it went on to be an uncomfortable evening for the would-be England left-back.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe was replaced by Calafiori and the Italian’s first involvement was to help restore Arsenal’s lead with an underlapping run and cross which was met by Madueke, who scored his first goal for the club.
As Bayern pushed they were caught out over-committing with Eberechi Eze releasing Martinelli. Neuer rushed from goal but the Brazilian was too pacey for the 39-year-old and poked the ball past him before sending it into the unguarded net. And, with that, Arsenal’s statement was complete.
10:54pm
Kompany’s assessment
We let ourselves down a little bit in the second half in comparison to the standards we are used to and we exposed ourselves to them a little bit too easily to win the game on good basics. They have quality as well, we have to recognise they have quality, and a very strong bench. I would love to play them again, hopefully in the latter stages with a good amount of learning from this game.
10:43pm
Arteta on Arsenal’s night
[What pleased him] The overall performance, the way we dominated the game, the way we had to adapt against a super well coached team. It is not coincidence that they didn’t lose before today, so we had to raise the standards. This game was going to require a different dimension of performances, and I think individually we were exceptional.
Hopefully it will bring more confidence and trust to the players. We made changes, and whoever it is, with all the injuries we still have, performing an
I know the difficulty of the match we have just played and how much they demand and I thought we were excellent.
Mikel Arteta’s team have won five games from five in the Champions League - Getty Images/Catherine Ivill10:35pm
Kane on Bayern’s performance and Arsenal
Tough game, a good battle in the first half which was fairly even. In the second half, we didn’t have quite the same intensity and energy and we lost too many duels and Arsenal punished us for that. We played against a really good side, our first loss of the season. We don’t want to panic too much about it but we can learn from it.
They’re a good team, there’s a reason why they are top of the Premier League and have won every game in the Champions League. They have got a good structure, they win first and second balls and then on set-pieces we knew they were going to be dangerous.
I’m sure we’ll see them again in the latter stages of the competition, so we look forward to that.
Harry Kane struggled to influence the game - Getty Images/Shaun Botterill10:31pm
Arteta with an update on Trossard
10:28pm
Rice on his partnership with Zubimendi
It’s been so easy to play with Martín Zubimendi. From the first moment we had with each other in pre-season, I just knew we’d play some good football. I really like him, he’s such a nice guy.
He is Spain’s No 6 and you know what Spain No 6’s are like. He has been so, so good for us.
Every game requires something different. Every player knows their role.
10:20pm
Declan Rice on the tactical battle
Bayern Munich this season have been the best team in Europe, we knew what kind of game we were going to be in for.
Probably the toughest game tactically we have had all season, they have so many rotations, The way they work it is so, so good. It is hard to pick up and it requires a lot of communication.
When they drop you deep, it’s hard to pick up references and get up to a man.
They rotate so much, but in the second half we got our references right and were able to go more man for man.
I thought tonight we were outstanding. The manager is so happy. It was a special European night.
Yes, definitely [it feels different to last season]. There are so many leaders in the team. We are just taking it one game at a time. There is a hunger and desire to win every game. There is a long way to go. Let’s not get carried away.
Declan Rice delivered a strong second-half performance - Getty Images/Alex Burstow10:17pm
Inter’s defeat also a good result for Arsenal tonight
10:04pm
Madueke speaking on the pitch
I couldn’t have picked a better game to score my first Arsenal goal. I am so happy the team got the win as well.
It’s an incredible statement, but we know the work we put in. We go into these game with every confidence that we are going to win.
I am a confident player. I don’t like someone telling me I cannot do something. But my team mates and and staff have belief in me.
Noni Madueke scored his first Arsenal goal - Getty Images/Stuart MacFarlane09:57pm
FT: Arsenal 3 Bayern Munich 1
Arsenal win the battle of Europe’s two most in-form teams. The first 45 minutes felt like high-quality shadow boxing between the two teams and managers, with Arsenal scoring from a set-piece and Bayern showing their class in possession.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut after half-time, Arsenal took the game to a place Bayern simply could not reach. Declan Rice led that increase in aggression and intensity, and Madueke and Martinelli’s goals showed the strength of Arsenal’s bench options.
That second half was one of Arsenal’s best under Arteta. Now they need to find that level again at Stamford Bridge.
Gabriel Martinelli scored another important goal off the bench - Reuters/Peter Cziborra09:54pm
93 minutes: Arsenal 3 Bayern Munich 1
Arsenal back behind the ball, and Declan Rice heads the ball clear, before Merino wins a foul. Raya is going to kick long, and Arsenal are surely at the finish line now.
09:53pm
92 minutes: Arsenal 3 Bayern Munich 1
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis has been a remarkable flexing of Arsenal’s muscles and strength in depth. In no previous season under Mikel Arteta would the Spaniard have felt able to substitute Bukayo Saka in a game of this magnitude. These days, he has so much power on his bench that he would almost be foolish not to deploy it as the game progresses.
Very few teams in Europe can match Arsenal for attacking options, and they have done it tonight without the injured Havertz, Gyokeres and Jesus.
09:52pm
92 minutes: Arsenal 3 Bayern Munich 1
Zubimendi has that Fernandinho-like knack of making lots of small fouls, smiling at the referee, and never getting booked.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere is some pinball in the Arsenal box from the free-kick, one of the few moments of Bayern danger in the second half, before a wild shot from the edge of the box flies over the bar.
09:51pm
90 minutes: Arsenal 3 Bayern Munich 1
Bayern would welcome the sanctuary of a blind alley; they keep running into a brick wall at the moment. Arsenal have a free-kick in a crossing position wide left. They have won so many of the duels and individual battles in this half.
There will be four minutes of added time.
From the free-kick, Arsenal win first contact again but Calafiori heads at Neuer.
09:48pm
88 minutes: Arsenal 3 Bayern Munich 1
Harry Kane looking a little bit frustrated, taking a “enough of this, I’ll do it myself” approach. He is taking all of Bayern’s free-kick quickly no matter where they are on the pitch, and trying Hollywood passes. Not many of them are coming off.
09:46pm
86 minutes: Arsenal 3 Bayern Munich 1
Martinelli tries to tee up Odegaard in the box at the end of another dangerous move, but the flag goes up for offside. Kane plays a quick free-kick left, but Madueke sprints back to close off the avenue.
09:44pm
83 minutes: Arsenal 3 Bayern Munich 1
Arsenal thought they had pinched the ball in another dangerous position, but Zubmiendi was penalised for a high foot. Then a Bayern switch of play drifts harmlessly out for a throw to cheers from the crowd. “Total domination,” says Ally McCoist on commentary regarding Arsenal’s second half performance.
09:41pm
80 minutes: Arsenal 3 Bayern Munich 1
Mikel Merino has been shown a yellow card for a foul on Kimmich.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementArteta feels comfortable making a couple more changes: Eze and Timber off, White and Arsenal’s returning captain Odegaard on.
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Manuel Neuer will get a lot of blame for that goal but I think he has to go for the interception, doesn’t he? No Bayern players were going to catch Martinelli there so he had to make a decision early.
The Arsenal fans are having a wonderful time here. We’ve had renditions of “are you Tottenham in disguise” and “Harry, what’s the score?”
09:39pm
GOOOOAAALL! Martinelli scores a somewhat comical goal
One of the best breakaway goals Arsenal have scored in Europe, after an Olise dribble breaks down at the edge of the box.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMartinelli started it with a pass into Merino at the edge of the box, who laid it off first time to Eze.
Arsenal’s No 10 gets his head up with lots of green grass behind the Bayern defence, and lofts a pass for the rapid Martinelli to chase down.
The ball lands short of the onrushing Neuer, and Martinelli takes it round him with one touch before passing into the unguarded net. The Emirates is in raptures.
09:35pm
75 minutes: Arsenal 2 Bayern Munich 1
As things stand, Arsenal will be top of the Champions League table (for all that matters in November, but it’s better than being in one of the other 35 places).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRice, wearing the Arsenal armband now, has been everywhere in this second half, and he has the Arsenal fans on their feet with a well-timed tackle on Harry Kane. Rice gees the crowd.
09:33pm
72 minutes: Arsenal 2 Bayern Munich 1
Bayern go in search of an instant reply, with Kimmich lifting a diagonal towards Gnabry in the box but he could not get his studs to the ball on the stretch.
Laimer and Gnabry are now off: Jackson and Bischof on. Will Kompany’s changes work as well as Arteta’s?
09:30pm
GOOOAAALL! Madueke converts Calafiori’s cross
Arteta’s change have paid dividends: Calafiori, on at left-back, delivered the cross and Madueke, moved to the right after Martinelli’s introduction, fires the bouncing ball into the back of the net. Great delivery and finish, a bit like Bayern’s goal but from the other side.
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Noni Madueke’s first goal for Arsenal and it comes just moments after he was moved to the right wing. Calafiori got the assist, too, after coming onto the pitch a few seconds earlier. I doubt even Arteta expected his changes to work so quickly.
09:28pm
68 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
Here comes those Arsenal changes: Martinelli on for Saka, and Calafiori on for Lewis-Skelly. If this was a quarter-final, there’s no chance Arteta takes off Saka but Arsenal have three big league games in six days starting with Chelsea away. They have also already lost Trossard on the night.
09:27pm
66 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
Bayern show signs of striking back, and again it is down their right. Olise drifts past Lewis-Skelly like he is not there but he cannot find the telling pass or cross. Lewis-Skelly has had some tricky moments, and Arteta is readying Calafiori and Martinelli on the sidelines.
09:24pm
63 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
How has that not gone in from Declan Rice?! Arsenal really knocking at the door now. It was a lung-busting midfield run after a nice touch inside from Madueke, and Rice cut across the defending knowing he cannot tackle in the box. Rice goes across Neuer with a left-footed shot, but the effort deflected off the goalkeeper’s out-stretched leg and the rebound was inches from Saka.
09:21pm
60 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
Another Arsenal chance from a set-piece, Rice with a curling free-kick into the box. The ball dropped for Mosquera in front of Neuer but from point-blank range the goalkeeper got a hand to the header. Important save. The game as a serious intensity to it now, and Arsenal are being more aggressive in their intentions since half-time.
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Bayern are struggling horribly with Arsenal’s set pieces. It’s a weakness in their game. Arsenal are digging their fingers into that particular pressure point...
09:19pm
59 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
This was a better chance for Merino! Declan Rice with the inswinging corner which skims off his head, but wide of the most. Every Arsenal corner looks like it is going to lead to a chance.
Madueke then has a burst down the left, and he is clipped by Upamecano. The Bayern defender is on a yellow card, but that was just a regulation foul.
Vincent Kompany has now been booked, both managers on yellows.
09:17pm
57 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
Half a chance for Merino from the second-phase of that corner, but he planted the back-post header straight at Neuer.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThen Karl left Lewis-Skelly with his boots stuck in the ground, another lovely piece of skill, but his side-footed shot was tame and straight at Raya.
The Arsenal goalkeeper fizzes a pass through midfield into the feet of Eze, and Arsenal are on the attack again, and now they have a corner.
More back and forth in this half, Arsenal enjoying more territory.
09:14pm
55 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
Olise so smooth across the ground through midfield, Zubimendi clips him at the expense of the free-kick. Bayern Munich might be the happier if the game starts to get a little stretched. Kimmich’s delivery is straight down the throat of Raya, and Rice drives forward on the counter attack. His cross deflects off Laimer behind for an Arsenal corner.
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Just a little thing but there was a clever moment from young Karl there, as he basically grabbed hold of Lewis-Skelly when Bayern had the ball. It prevented Lewis-Skelly from challenging Olise. A foul, probably, but that sort of thing is very rarely given. Karl seems like a smart player.
09:12pm
52 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
Swift football from Arsenal through the lines in midfield, and Saka wins a corner up against Laimer. This one is going into the box.
The referee stops play for a push on Gnabry, but it is one of those where Arsenal get the chance to deliver again. It is going to be an inswinger with crowd of players around Neuer.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMerino almost got his head to the menacing delivery, Arsenal keep it alive, Eze finds Saka with a lovely reverse pass, before Merino skews a shot over. Bayern survive a strong spell of pressure.
Tah did well in the air from the initial corner delivery.
09:09pm
48 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
Bayern have the ball after Zubimendi trips Olise in midfield, before the away team work a triangle to find Stanisic free on Arsenal’s left side. They go back to Neuer and make Arsenal chase.
Then there is a loose ball across midfield, and Timber fizzes a pass forward. Kimmich with a sliced clearance straight to Saka, who tries to go high from a tight angle and Neuer tips over.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementArsenal take the corner short, and this routine does not come off.
09:05pm
We’re back under way!
Arsenal get the second half started.
09:05pm
The two teams are back out for the second half
No changes from either manager, after Arteta had to call for Madueke to replace Trossard in the first half.
08:51pm
HT: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
A fair scoreline after a very polished first 45 minutes from both teams, even if the game has not been replete with chances. Bayern settled well with heaps of possession early on, making Arsenal defend, but the hosts held them at bay before striking from a corner. Arsenal have seen more of the ball as the half as progressed, but were caught out by a right-to-left diagonal for Karl’s goal. Bayern’s 17-year-old has been impressive, as have Zubimendi, Kimmich and Eze.
Lennart Karl scored Bayern Munich’s equaliser - Getty Images/Ben Stansall08:48pm
45 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
Scary moment at the back for Arsenal with Harry Kane lurking, Saliba smashes the ball into the back of Zubimendi but it breaks kindly to Raya. Good persistence from Madueke to bring Arsenal up the pitch. Rice then produces a driving run towards the Bayern box but his attempted lay-off is cut out. We are two minutes into three of added time.
08:45pm
43 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
Laimer booked for dragging down Saka, that was better from the Arsenal winger, and Arteta has also been booked for his protestations. Good football from Arsenal to play around the Bayern press and into the visitors’ half.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementZubimendi then lifts a ball over the Bayern defence for Timber, and his volleyed cross is close to reaching the head of Madueke.
08:42pm
40 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
Lewis-Skelly was perhaps caught under the ball for the Bayern goal, but he produces a lovely turn to win a foul from Gnabry. Arsenal have settled down quite well since the goal, but they perhaps need a bit more from Saka who has looked short of his razor-sharp best.
08:39pm
38 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
Trossard’s race is run: he looks to have a calf problem, and he is replaced by Madueke. The England winger will not drop into midfield areas like Trossard, but does offer more threat in behind the Bayern defence.
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Just as Arsenal get a forward back from injury (Gabriel Martinelli) they lose another one to injury (Trossard). The Belgian has been Arsenal’s best attacker this season with 10 goal involvements. He would be a massive loss for the Chelsea game this weekend, if he’s out.
08:37pm
35 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 1
The action continues at both ends: Saka looked like he was through but Gnabry made a great defensive recovery to deny him. Then Bayern found space down the Arsenal left again, but Stanisic drilled a shot wide of the far post when he could have looked for a cut-back. Trossard is down for Arsenal.
08:34pm
GOOOOALL! Bayern equalise through Karl
Moments after that opening for Arsenal, Bayern find a high-quality equaliser. Kimmich with a raking switch over the head of Lewis-Skelly to Gnabry, who volleys the ball across goal for Karl to finish first time. Cracking goal. Arsenal concede for the the first time in the Champions League this season.
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That’s the first goal Arsenal have conceded in Europe this season and Arteta will hate how easy it was. The execution from Kimmich, Gnabry and Karl was superb but a defence as strong as Arsenal’s should never be opened up with one long pass.
08:32pm
31 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 0
Brilliance from Eze and a great chance for Arsenal to score the second goal.
Arsenal’s No 10 nutmegged Upamecano to the delight of the crowd, and found Merino in the process. The Spaniard made the return pass, but Kimmich recovered to get a nick on the ball when Eze was about to provide Saka with a tap in.
08:31pm
29 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 0
Arsenal pressing a little higher now, which can bring reward and risks. Bayern have not really pieced together an attack of any menace for some time. Arsenal looking more and more comfortable in the game, perhaps getting the north London derby out of their legs. Eze with a nice turn to spread play to the left. Bayern get back and defend.
08:28pm
27 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 0
A little unorthodox from Arsenal there: Zubimendi with an awkward volley back towards Raya which could have caused him a problem but the ball skimmed off Saliba’s head so the goalkeeper could pick it up. Lewis-Skelly gets forward and delivers a low cross but Bayern clear.
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Jurrien Timber is not a tall man but he’s so often a serious threat at set-pieces. It must be down to his physicality and explosiveness, because a man that short really should not be causing so many problems in a packed box.
08:25pm
24 minutes: Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 0
Bayern had settled pretty well and Arsenal were playing a game of containment, but they have their nose in front from a set-piece. Shortly after the goal, Upamecano was booked for a rash challenge on Mosquera. The game is set up a treat now, because Bayern will keep swinging.
08:23pm
GOOOOAALL! Timber strikes from a corner
Lovely inswinging delivery from Saka into the six-yard box, and Timber roses highest in front of Neuer who was caught a little flat-footed. A few tentative appeals for a push or a block from Bayern, but the goal stands. “Set-piece again” rings around the Emirates.
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Set Piece FC strike again. Arteta actually quipped at his press conference yesterday that he was upset at Arsenal’s failure to score from a set piece against Spurs on Sunday... the Arsenal fans lapped that up (they revel in the stick they get for their set-piece dominance) and they are singing “set piece again, ole ole” at the Emirates.
08:22pm
22 minutes: Arsenal 0 Bayern Munich 0
Gritty work from Zubimendi to chase down Laimer and win a corner after some scruffy play at the back from Bayern. Arsenal need to be a bit cleaner on those rare ocassions they do win the ball back high.
08:21pm
20 minutes: Arsenal 0 Bayern Munich 0
Bayern now have a corner, after another foray from Olise. This time his cross deflected off Trossard who was diligent in his tracking back. The delivery from Olise was very loopy to the back post, but after the ball dropped with snow on it Upamecano’s header was poor.
08:19pm
18 minutes: Arsenal 0 Bayern Munich 0
We are back under way and Saka is fine to continue. Karl has been very impressive, elusive and neat in all of his work so far. The same can be said for Olise, who deceives Lewis-Skelly to win a free-kick in a crossing position wide right for Bayern.
Kimmich to take, but Merino did well to head clear at the near post.
08:17pm
16 minutes: Arsenal 0 Bayern Munich 0
Both Trossard and Lewis-Skelly win fouls in the Arsenal half which enables the home team to see a bit more of the ball.
They eventually go back to Raya, who fizzes a ball over the top of the Bayern defence for the run of Saka (one of the centre-backs had tracked Eze into midfield), but Neuer swept up miles from his goal. Saka took the ball in the face and suffers a split lip. He is down and receiving some treatment, but no injury concern.
08:14pm
13 minutes: Arsenal 0 Bayern Munich 0
Bayern continue to pass the ball around smoothly, but they are yet to fashion a clear chance and Timber is able to usher the ball out for a throw in.
Zubimendi then knocks the ball forward into space for Saka, but he quickly has three Bayern players around him, and Kane buys a foul. That does not endear him to the home crowd.
08:12pm
11 minutes: Arsenal 0 Bayern Munich 0
Gnabry switches play well to Olise wide right, and Bayern have possession again in the Arsenal half. The home team are staying disciplined behind the ball, but Bayern are working them over. A real test of concentration, this. Arsenal possibly missing some pace at the top end of the pitch to offer a threat on the break.
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It’s been a great start to the game. Two teams trying to play high-intensity football and attacking with numbers. Bayern certainly haven’t tried to copy the Spurs playbook from Sunday. Kane and Karl have taken up some interesting positions already, with Kane coming very deep at times.
08:10pm
9 minutes: Arsenal 0 Bayern Munich 0
Arsenal’s best attacking moment so far, although eventually the flag went up so it was all rather moot. Zubimendi zipping a pass between the lines to Merino, who chipped a pass over the Bayern defence to Trossard. He lifted the ball of Neuer towards Saka but it would not quite drop. Trossard was offside anyway.
08:08pm
7 minutes: Arsenal 0 Bayern Munich 0
Saka applying some pressure near the Bayern corner flag which helps Arsenal gain some territory. Rice has gone across to take a long throw. The ball was flicked on in the box but Upamecano cleared. Lewis-Skelly dallied a touch on the ball, but Bayern recycle possession.
08:05pm
5 minutes: Arsenal 0 Bayern Munich 0
Very early days, but already it looks like this game is going to have a different feel to almost all of Arsenal’s domestic home games. Bayern are keeping the ball with authority, Olise and Karl showing their class already, but Timber defends well at right-back. Rice is penalised for a foul on Kimmich in midfield, but shortly afterwards Eze draws a foul wide right in a crossing position for Arsenal.
Lovely cross from Rice, but Saliba glanced wide. In any case, he was in an offside position. Would not have counted.
08:03pm
2 minutes: Arsenal 0 Bayern Munich 0
Kane wins a flick-on from kick-off but Mosquera mops up. Karl, the 17-year-old, is playing in a central position and is found a nice pocket of space by Olise. Bayern straight into a lengthy spell of possession in the Arsenal half, with the home team behind the ball in their usual 4-4-2 shape.
08:01pm
KICK OFF!
Some murmured boos towards Harry Kane as the two teams line up, but in truth the fact he returned for the 2024 Champions League quarter-final turns down the temperature.
Bayern Munich get the game started.
07:57pm
The teams are in the tunnel
Some fireworks are set off from the roof of the Emirates, though no tifos which seem to be the talk of the town at the moment.
Harry Kane is the last Bayern Munich player to emerge, a player who has scored no fewer than seven penalties at the Emirates.
07:54pm
Arteta likes Lewis-Skelly in this competition
07:39pm
Kompany’s pre-game thoughts
My wife and my family is from England so in between I am here quite often! It’s a place I know so it’s good to be here.
[Are these the best two in Europe] At the moment with the best results, but it matters who is the best in March, April and May.
Both myself and Mikel can position this game, but we want to win. We can take a big step towards automatic qualification, these are the games you want to play in.
It’s never inevitable [that Kane scores tonight]. He has to work for every single goal he scores and the team has to work to provide as well. The Harry I know is just as happy for others to score, he has been so benevolent for the team.
He [Olise] came to us as a big talent and now he is a big player.
Vincent Kompany was appointed by Bayern Munich after suffering relegation with Burnley - Getty Images/Julian Finney07:29pm
An English feel to Germany’s most storied club
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Here’s a fun fact: there are as many London-born players in the Bayern lineup as Munich-born players.
Michael Olise, who was born in west London - Getty Images/S. Mellar07:28pm
Arteta asked about his two changes
The headaches are going to be a little bit harder. They deserve to play [Cristhian Mosquera & Myles Lewis-Skelly]. We have to manage the squad and the load that we have. We have a game every three days.”
07:11pm
Bayern’s 17-year-old
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There is a huge amount of excitement around young Lennart Karl, who is starting in Bayern’s attack tonight. The 17-year-old is one of the most thrilling young prospects in European football. He’s small but very quick, and he has great dribbling ability.
What Lennart Karl lacks in stature he makes up for in skill - Getty Images/Alexander Hassenstein07:08pm
Bayern’s attack vs Arsenal’s defence
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Immovable object meets unstoppable force: Arsenal have not conceded a goal in the Champions League this season. But no team in the competition has scored more goals than Bayern Munich. Something has to give, as they say.
07:06pm
Arteta speaking to TNT
Both teams are in a good moment so it is going to be a really intense match with a lot of quality on that pitch.
The players have given me every reason to trust, and we have to manage the squad, especially certain individuals after the international break with where they are coming from.
[On if Arsenal have closed the gap since losing to Bayern in 2024] Every club evolves, I think we have done it in the right way, but now you have to show it on that pitch.
07:00pm
A look at the team news
Just the two changes from Mikel Arteta; he may have made more if Madueke, Martinelli and Odegaard were further down the track in their recoveries, but Arsenal fans will be pleased to see them back on the bench. It gives Arteta the option of adding speed on the flanks late in the game. Mosquera replacing Hincapie might be about adding stature in the battle against Harry Kane.
Bayern’s 4-2-3-1 shape is quite settled at this stage of the season, with Laimer impressive since being moved from midfield to right-back. Karl, just 17, loves to cut inside from the right on to his left foot, which will likely mean Olise starting in a central role. Gnabry has also played left, right and through the middle across his career so Kompany’s attack could be fluid.
Cristhian Mosquera is one of two Arsenal changes - Getty Images/David Price06:50pm
Bayern Munich team news: Gnarby fit again after injury, 17-year-old Karl starts
Starting XI: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Karl, Olise, Gnabry; Kane
Subs: Ulreich, Urbig, Minjae, Goretzka, Jackson, Bischof, Ito, Guerreiro, Boey, Mike
06:46pm
Arsenal team news: Mosquera and Lewis-Skelly come in, Odegaard on bench
06:36pm
Harry Kane was asked about his future yesterday
“The move has been one of the best decisions of my life,” said the 32-year-old, who joined Bayern from Spurs in 2023.
“To experience a new league, a team like Bayern Munich, these European nights, the atmosphere in the German league, has been a great step in my career and helped me improve as a player.
“I’m quite open to staying longer. They way we are right now and the way we are playing, I feel we are one of the best teams in Europe, for sure.
“I don’t look at any other team and think, ‘I want to go there’. I’m really happy here. I’ve got 18 months on my contract and I’m sure there will be discussions in the future.”
06:23pm
All hail Hale End
In the same game as Max Dowman scored this wonderful goal, 13-year-old Luis Munoz became the youngest player to ever feature in the Uefa Youth League when he came on as a substitute for Arsenal’s Under-19s against Bayern Munich.
06:21pm
The brilliance of Michael Olise
In Bukayo Saka, Arsenal have an elite winger of their own. But even the ever-dangerous Saka has not been able to reach the same heights as Olise this season. Before this week’s European fixtures, only Harry Kane and Erling Haaland in Europe’s major leagues had been involved in more goals than Olise (12 goals, 10 assists).
06:19pm
Europe’s two best teams so far this season meet
Bayern Munich should provide Arsenal with their stiffest test of the season so far tonight, although the importance of this Champions League fixture is open to question.
Hosting the six-time European champions, who arrive in north London with Harry Kane in tow, offers plenty of glamour and storylines but upcoming Premier League trips to Chelsea and Aston Villa could shape Arsenal’s title quest.
Barring an alarming collapse, Arsenal and Bayern should be assured of automatic progression to the last-16 via a top-eight finish, although there is an incentive to finish as high as possible. After a Uefa rule change in the summer, the league phase ‘winners’ and runners-up will be assured of home second legs all the way to the final.
Arsenal have won four from four in Europe without conceding a goal, and are six points clear at the top of the Premier League, but Bayern’s record is also fearsome. They have played 18, won 18 and drawn one so far this season, with their high pressing under Vincent Kompany drawing praise.
Kompany was a player while Mikel Arteta was part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City and, regardless of the stakes tonight, egos come into the equation when two young coaches of such standing meet.
In positive news for Arsenal, their attacking injury crisis is abating. Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli were on the bench for the north London derby win over Spurs, and there is hope that Martin Odegaard can join them in the squad tonight. The returns of Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus are also not too far away.
For Bayern, Luis Diaz is suspended following his red card against Paris St-Germain. The German side beat the European champions with 10 men. Kane is a certain starter of course, having scored 15 goals in 21 appearances against Arsenal.
Full team news on the way shortly.
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