Arsenal’s victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday was significant for various reasons, marking a pivotal moment for Mikel Arteta’s team as they establish themselves among Europe’s elite.
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For Arsenal supporters, Wednesday’s defeat of Bayern Munich was a long-awaited moment. The Gunners hadn’t won against the German giants in over a decade, despite facing them four times in knockout rounds during that stretch.
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However, the 3-1 result was also significant for Bayern, marking their first loss across all competitions this season. Prior to this match, Bayern had registered 17 wins and a single draw from their previous 18 encounters.
In the Champions League, Bayern had been flawless, winning their first four matches, including victories over top contenders like Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. They were at the top of the league, scoring 14 goals while conceding just three.
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Nevertheless, Bayern Munich faced greater challenges in both creating chances and defending against Arsenal than they had in recent memory.
OptaJoe reports that Bayern conceded a staggering 2.72 expected goals (xG) against Arsenal, marking the highest xG they’ve allowed in any match under Vincent Kompany. Given that Kompany has coached for 75 matches now, this is a remarkable achievement.
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Conversely, Bayern recorded their lowest xG of the season with just 0.69, as reported by OptaJoe, while also showing declines in shots and touches within the opponent’s penalty area.
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Ultimately, the outcome could have been different if Arsenal had failed to capitalize on their opportunities or if Bayern had converted their chances. However, the xG accurately mirrored the final score, as Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Martinelli scored to secure the 3-1 win.
Arsenal can take great confidence from this performance as they prepare to face Chelsea, the current second-placed team in the Premier League, this Sunday.