Arsenal beat Bayern Munich 3-1 to maintain its 100% record in this season’s UEFA Champions League, sending Mikel Arteta’s side clear at the top of the group on Wednesday, at the Emirates Stadium in London, England.
Defender Jurrien Timber headed Arsenal in front from a corner after 22 minutes. However, the lead lasted only 10 minutes though as Bayern responded when teenager Lennart Karl equalised for the six-time European champions before halftime.
Arsenal dominated the second half and were reward in the 69th minute when Riccardo Calafiori fired in a cross from the left that fellow substitute Noni Madueke turned in for his first goal since joining from Chelsea.
Eight minutes later Neuer had a moment to forget when he charged out of his goal trying to cut out Eberechi Eze’s pass.
But the goalkeeper got nowhere near the ball and Gabriel Martinelli was left with the simple task of shooting into an empty net.
It proved a quiet return to north London for prolific Bayern striker Harry Kane as his side suffered their first defeat of the season in all competitions.
With Inter Milan losing, Arsenal are now the only team in the competition with a maximum 15 points and look all but assured of a place in the last 16.
“We went man to man with them in the second half and I thought tonight we were outstanding,” Declan Rice, who covered every blade of grass in midfield, said. “The manager is so happy. It was a special European night.”
Bayern slipped to third as one of four clubs on 12 points although with home games against Sporting and Union Saint-Gilloise next they are in good shape to seal a top-eight spot.
“I have to congratulate Arsenal, in the end it was a deserved win for them,” Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said.
“The first half I felt we could edge it but we allowed them to control the second half.”
Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League results
Kobenhavn 3-2 Kairat
Pafos 2-2 Monaco
Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-3 Atalanta
Liverpool 1-4 PSV
Olympiacos 3-4 Real Madrid
PSG 5-3 Tottenham Hotspurs
Sporting 3-0 Club Brugge.
