Arsenal Claim Commanding Victory Over German Giants
In a heavyweight Champions League clash that captivated the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal delivered a powerful statement by defeating Bayern Munich 3-1 on Wednesday, 26 November 2025. This significant result preserves the Gunners' perfect record in the competition, marking their fifth consecutive victory and solidifying their position at the summit of the 36-team table.
Second-Half Firepower Seals the Deal
The match was a tale of two halves, with the deadlock broken after the interval. The hero of the moment was Noni Madueke, who marked a triumphant return from a two-month knee injury by scoring his first-ever goal for Arsenal. The breakthrough came in the 69th minute after Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano lost possession. Mikel Merino swiftly delivered a low cross into the box, where Madueke was perfectly positioned to pounce from close range.
The victory was sealed by fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli, who capitalised on a catastrophic error from Bayern's veteran goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer. Coming out to deal with a long ball from Eberechi Eze, Neuer misjudged the situation, allowing Martinelli to waltz past him and slot the ball into an empty net, sending the home fans into delirium.
Timber Strikes First, Karl Responds
Arsenal had initially taken the lead in the first half through defender Jurrien Timber. From a Bukayo Saka corner delivered to the near post, Timber connected with a precise glancing header that flew past a stranded Neuer.
However, Bayern Munich demonstrated their quality by pulling level with a brilliantly worked goal. Joshua Kimmich found former Gunner Serge Gnabry on the wing, who expertly cushioned the ball first-time into the path of their 17-year-old sensation, Lennart Karl. The teenager, who became Bayern's youngest-ever Champions League scorer last month, showed incredible composure, volleying the ball into the roof of the net without breaking stride. This was the first goal Arsenal have conceded in this season's Champions League.
The home fans reveled in the result, directing chants of 'Are you Tottenham in disguise?' and 'Harry, what's the score?' towards former Spurs striker Harry Kane, who was kept quiet by a resilient Arsenal defence led by William Saliba.
Manager Mikel Arteta had resisted the temptation to rest key players ahead of a crucial Premier League trip to Chelsea, making only two defensive changes by bringing in Cristhian Mosquera and Myles Lewis-Skelly. The decision paid off handsomely, delivering a deserved and emphatic victory against one of Europe's most formidable sides.
