Arsenal Smash Bayern as Arteta Hints at European Breakthrough

Arsenal sent another message across Europe with a commanding 3–1 win over Bayern Munich, keeping their perfect Champions League record intact and leaving even Mikel Arteta wondering if this might just be the season. The Spaniard still called Bayern “the best team in Europe”, but after watching his side sweep past them, you’d swear the roles was reversed.

The Gunners are flying. Sixteen wins, two draws and just one defeat across all competitions, and now five Champions League wins from five — their best start in Europe since that famous 2005–06 run to the final. They’ve shaken off an eight-game hoodoo against Bayern stretching back to 2015 and look like a team that’s stopped messing about with false dawns.

“The confidence is there for Arsenal — you can feel it simmering,” former Gunners defender Matt Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Before, Arsenal would be brilliant one week and tail off the next. Now it’s a 7/10 minimum. Sometimes it goes to a 9/10. They’re churning out performances.”

Bayern weren’t just unbeaten before rocking up at the Emirates — they’d lost only three of their previous 52 Champions League matches before the knockouts. And Arteta wasn’t shy in reminding everyone. “I have to praise our players,” he said. “They had an incredible match against, for me, the best team in Europe. Individually, we was immense. The margins are tiny, and we prepared like crazy.”

Arteta barely had time to breathe after the final whistle. “We started the week well against Spurs. Today is massive again. Now we go home, have a nice dinner, and tomorrow we prepare for Stamford Bridge.” No champagne allowed. Chelsea away waits.

Declan Rice, who walked off with UEFA’s player of the match, sounded just as fired up. “Look at Bayern — they’ve been the best team in Europe this season. Tactically this was the toughest game we played. We went man to man second half and was outstanding. There’s so many leaders in the team now. Hunger, desire. Long way to go but we ain’t getting carried away.”

And that depth? It’s becoming Arsenal’s secret weapon. Even without Viktor Gyökeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, Arteta could still sling Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli off the bench — and both scored. Martin Ødegaard is fit again. Gyökeres and Havertz aren’t far off. Every week the squad looks deeper, fresher, sharper.

Madueke couldn’t hide his grin after bagging his first goal for the club. “I couldn’t have picked a better game to score it,” he said. “We go into every game confident we’ll win. My team-mates and staff believe in me, so I just try to repay it.”

Upson reckons that strength in depth is exactly why Arsenal aren’t slipping. “Arsenal’s bench delivers in all areas,” he said. “Multiple players coming on and having an impact. They’re scrapping for places, pulling in the same direction. Arteta’s kept a big squad hungry — that’s not easy.”

And the goal? It’s not a secret. The Premier League title. And a deep run — maybe all the way — in the Champions League.

On this evidence, nobody will be rushing to play Arsenal anytime soon.