Arsenal End Bayern Munich’s Unbeaten Streak In Dominant Fashion

Harry Kane looks on disappointed after Bayern Munich’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal (Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images)

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Bayern Munich’s unbelievable unbeaten streak of 18 games to start the season has come to a halt. In the much-anticipated clash against Premier League leaders Arsenal, Bayern was smashed 3-1 at the Emirates thanks to goals by Jurrien Timber (22’), Noni Madueke (69’), and Gabriel Martinelli (77’).

The only Bayern goal was scored by 17-year-old Lennart Karl. Indeed, his continued progress was perhaps the best news for Bayern Munich in what was otherwise a night to forget in North London. According to Opta, Karl is the youngest player in Champions League history to score in each of his first two starts (17 years, 277 days).

“We played against a very strong opponent,” Bayern forward Serge Gnabry said to broadcaster DAZN after the game. “They had more shots on goal, scored more goals. They were very dominant and good with the ball. We didn’t have much going forward in the second half. I don’t know if they have more quality, but we must accept that we lost today.”

On balance, it is hard to argue with Gnabry’s assessment. Arsenal had 12 to 8 shots on goal, led the xG 2.72 to 0.69, and generated 10 to 4 crosses. Oddly enough, Bayern still had the majority of possession (60%) and also completed more passes (534 to 344).

With the ball, Arsenal was far more effective than the Bundesliga giants, especially at set pieces, an area that is increasingly becoming an issue for Bayern. Timber took the lead after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer struggled to control his six-yard box, a theme that would continue throughout the night.

Arsenal also made the most of the ball whenever they quickly won possession. They regained the lead after Karl’s brilliant equalizer after Dayot Upamecano needlessly gave the ball away. The third goal by Martinelli came about after Bayern, and Neuer, in particular, were caught out playing a very high defensive line.

What are the main lessons from the game for Bayern? “The Champions League was not decided today,” Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany said. “We didn’t lose anything. But we have to react and make sure that when we arrive at the crucial moments in March and April, this game will have played a role for us.”

Although Bayern has been incredible to start the season, that’s certainly an important takeaway. Too many times, the Rekordmeister has had a strong start to the season only to run out of steam at the end of the season.

Indeed, last year’s winner, PSG, didn’t even finish in the top eight of the Champions League group stage. The Parisians began playing their best soccer after adding Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the January transfer window.

The Georgian became a crucial player in Luis Enrique’s high-pressure, press-and-switch attacking play. Bayern lacked that sort of player today against Arsenal. But unlike PSG, they won’t have to sign someone to fix that deficit; but simply have to wait for Luis Díaz to return from his three-game match ban. Díaz was sent off against PSG on the previous matchday.

For now, Bayern simply wants to move on from the result. “Put it behind us right now,” Jonathan Tah said. “Just focus on the next game. I think it’s always important how you react when you lose. We will keep going, work hard, and hopefully face them again.”

That isn’t to say Bayern wouldn’t want their revenge against Arsenal. “I’d love to play them again as soon as possible,” Kompany said. “Hopefully, in the latter stages, with a good amount of learning from this game.”