Arsenal maintained their perfect start in the Champions League as a statement 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium sent them top of the league phase table.<\/p>\n
Three days on from thrashing Spurs in the north London derby, Mikel Arteta’s side produced another outstanding display in front of their fans to underline their status as major European contenders.<\/p>\n
Jurrien Timber’s headed opener from Bukayo Saka’s corner was cancelled out by 17-year-old Lennart Karl in the first half but the Gunners blew Bayern Munich away after the break.<\/p>\n
Following a succession of set-piece chances, the second goal arrived when two substitutes combined as Riccardo Calafiori’s whipped cross was dispatched by Noni Madueke for his first Arsenal goal.<\/p>\n
As former Spurs striker Harry Kane toiled, unable to even register a shot at the ground where he has scored more times than any other visiting player, Arsenal rammed home their advantage.<\/p>\n
Their third came from a rapid breakaway as Eberechi Eze, Arsenal’s hat-trick hero against Spurs, released substitute Martinelli, who beat Manuel Neuer to the ball and raced clear to finish into an empty net to mark his first appearance in a month with a goal.<\/p>\n
Arsenal were good value for the two-goal lead and while Karl’s well-worked goal ended their run of clean sheets in the competition, a fifth consecutive win puts them three points clear of second-placed Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the league phase table.<\/p>\n
The Gunners now move on to Sunday’s game against Chelsea, live on Sky Sports at Stamford Bridge, where they will aim to extend their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League as they continue their fight for silverware on multiple fronts.<\/p>\n
The only blot on their evening was an injury to Leandro Trossard, who had to be replaced by Madueke in the first half, although there was a comeback appearance from captain Martin Odegaard, who came on as a late substitute having recovered from his knee injury.<\/p>\n
Story of the match in stats…<\/p>\n