Historic Revindication

November 26, 2025

Emirates Stadium, London

Tonight, the last two unbeaten sides in the Champions League meet at the summit of Europe. Across the technical areas stand Vincent Kompany and Mikel Arteta—disciples of Pep Guardiola, forged in the same creed of positional discipline and imaginative risk. Kompany arrives in his second season at Bayern, having restored the Bavarians’ domestic primacy after Leverkusen’s fleeting rebellion, losing only twice en route to a 13-point title. Arteta, meanwhile, has constructed an Arsenal before which opponents hesitate, a team leading the Premier League and advancing on all fronts with composure and conviction.

Their squads carry intertwined histories. Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze—once Palace’s rising double act—now represent rival futures. Eze arrives fresh from a hat-trick, Olise from a five-goal-contribution performance. And Harry Kane—Tottenham’s exiled monarch—has scored in six successive matches against Arsenal, his presence proof that ghosts travel well.

Bayern, six-time European champions and twice treble winners, have eliminated Arsenal five times—four in the round of 16. The 10-2 aggregate of 2017 still haunts north London. Arsenal arrive thirsty for reprisal, united, reinforced by the return of Madueke, Martinelli and Ødegaard. The opening exchanges resemble two machines in perfect calibration—every player defending, every player advancing. Saka overwhelms Laimer, Timber shadows Olise, and chances arise: Saliba from a set piece, Trossard orchestrated by Merino. Precision, not ambition, is missing.

In the 22nd minute, the breakthrough comes—Saka’s corner met firmly by Timber, Arsenal’s tenth goal from a set piece this season. Elegance fractures soon after, tempers rising with Upamecano’s booking. On 30 minutes, a move woven by Eze, Merino and Saka dissolves at the final pass. Bayern counter through Gnabry, once a Gunner, and Lennart Karl levels.

Trossard departs injured. Both managers are booked. Reorganisations, recriminations—tension thickens. Laimer hauls down Saka on a promising break, earning another yellow and igniting the stadium.

But Arsenal endure. Madueke emerges from the shadows to score, Martinelli adds a third, and Ødegaard reclaims the armband. Rice dominated: 100% tackles won, five ball recoveries, three chances created and two clearances. The whistle confirms it: three points clear, three matches left, Europe’s only unbeaten side—another victory wrested from a ruthless calendar.

Arsenal 3 – 1 Bayern Munich

(J. Timber 22’, L. Karl 32’, N. Madueke 69’, G. Martinelli 77’)