Thierry Henry labelled Arsenal ‘probably the most solid team in Europe’ following their statement 3-1 win over Bayern Munich, claiming ‘something is different’ about Mikel Arteta’s side this season.
Lennart Karl finished off an exquisite team move to cancel out Jurrien Timber’s headed opener in an absorbing opening 45 minutes of Wednesday’s heavyweight Champions League contest.
But Arteta rang the changes as Arsenal dug deep on the Emirates and it proved a masterstroke, with Riccardo Calafiori finding fellow substitute Noni Madueke to revive the hosts’ lead with 20 minutes remaining.
While Bayern pushed bodies forward in pursuit of an equaliser, it was Arsenal that benefitted on the counter-attack to wrap up a convincing victory and move three points clear at the highest of the table.
Gabriel Martinelli, one other of Arteta’s substitutes, was the person to place the sport to bed, rounding an onrushing Manuel Neuer and stroking the ball home to cue rapturous scenes in north London.
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A possible injury to Leandro Trossard was the one negative on an otherwise perfect night for the Gunners ahead of their Premier League clash with Chelsea this weekend.
‘Obviously you, Declan, are usually not going to be cocky about it,’ ex-Arsenal striker Henry said to man-of-the-match Rice, who joined the CBS Sports pundits for a chat shortly after the ultimate whistle.
‘But, for me, I will probably be honest with you… there’s something different this 12 months, there’s something different.
‘It’s not the identical as before. Before, I used to say that Arsenal can win because I’m a fan. Now I say it without my Arsenal hat on.
‘The way in which Arsenal look as a team, as a unit, is different. There’s something that’s happening.
Metro on the Match: Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich
From the Emirates, Metro’s Ben Fleming breaks down the winners and losers from Arsenal’s statement victory over Bayern.
Jurrien Timber excels again
Gary Neville recently lauded Timber as the most effective full-backs on the planet, and it is simple to see why. Got Arsenal’s opener and was superb in all elements of the sport, it’s no coincidence that Michael Olise’s assist for the opening goal got here after he drifted over he opposite flank.
Bukayo Saka singled out
The Arsenal forward provided the assist for Timber’s opener, but in open play, found himself man-marked to inside an inch of his life by several Bayern players. A mirrored image of his talent, little doubt, but an issue he could have to learn to take care of on a greater than regular basis.
Tricky night for Myles Lewis-Skelly
Lewis-Skelly might want to do way over this if he’s to force his way back ahead of Riccardo Calafiori at left-back. The 19-year-old struggled against Olise when he moved to the left flank and accomplished just seven of his 12 passes before making way within the 68th minute.
Arsenal match rankings: Raya 7, Timber 9, Saliba 7, Mosquera 7, Lewis-Skelly 6, Rice 8, Zubimendi 7, Eze 6, Saka 7, Trossard 6, Merino 7. Subs: Martinelli 7, Calafiori 7, White N/A, Odegaard N/A.
Lennart Karl, remember the name
Harry Kane had talked up the skills of 17-year-old Karl pre-match, and the German definitely delivered on the hype. Deployed within the No10 role, the teenager was a hive of energy and rounded off an excellent Bayern move for his or her first goal.
Harry Kane quiet on Emirates return
Kane won’t be the last striker to enjoy a quiet night up against this Arsenal backline. At times, the England captain was most involved when he was forced to trace back well into his side’s half to stop Saka getting on the ball.
A reminder that Arsenal are still yet to concede at home within the group/league phase of the Champions League since returning under Arteta within the 2023–24 season.
Bayern Munich match rankings: Neuer 5, Laimer 6, Tah 6, Upamecano 5, Stanisic 6, Kimmich 6, Pavlovic 6, Olise 7, Karl 7, Gnabry 5, Kane 5. Subs: Bischof 6, Jackson 5, Goretzka N/A, Guerreiro N/A, Kim N/A.
‘We are usually not there, we all know that. But additionally, the thing about embracing the very fact you’re good is significant.
‘It’s different this 12 months however it’s still a great distance so all the very best!’
Arsenal’s previous win over Bayern got here way back in October 2015, when Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil were on track in a 2-0 victory on the Emirates.
Arsene Wenger’s sides during this time were often accused of lacking the crucial fight and defensive nous to find a way to compete for major trophies on a consistent basis.
However the Gunners have transformed right into a much more physical side under Arteta, feared across Europe for his or her doggedness and dominance from set-pieces at each ends of the pitch – even with Gabriel Magalhaes out injured.
Based on Henry, his beloved former club have now proven beyond doubt that they’re the ‘most solid’ team within the Champions League having conceded only one goal within the competition this season.
‘They play, Arsenal, but they don’t overplay once they’re in their very own half,’ the long-lasting Frenchman added.
‘They have an inclination to go long once they know that mistakes can occur and it worked out.
‘They scored on the counter-attack and so they actually scored on Bayern attempting to overplay.
‘I believed it was a very good game from Arsenal: solid, especially after the weekend and with what’s coming also this weekend.
‘I would love to say they’re probably the most solid team in Europe for the time being.’
Ex-Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher agreed with Henry’s assessment, chiming in: ‘Yeah, Arsenal are the very best team in Europe straight away.
‘The one thing that we said before the sport, and we’re saying it with Bayern but we’re saying it more with Arsenal because they’ve just beaten them well, it’s whether or not they can still be the very best team in Europe by May.
‘There’s an extended technique to go but nobody can get near them straight away.’
Will Arsenal win this 12 months’s Champions League?
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