29/11/2025 – Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich “Rice’s Masterclass Under the Lights”

What a week so far! Two wins from two and two of the best performances I’ve ever watched. Chelsea tomorrow but let us start with that champions league night. There really is no better feeling than walking to the Emirates ready for a battle under the lights with the Champions League anthem ringing out. I went into the game expecting a draw but not really knowing the level that Bayern would be at. I expected a few changes as I mentioned last time out and Arteta made the right choices. Unfortunately, as much as I love him and think he will become an Arsenal legend Lewis-Skelly had a nightmare. His lack of match sharpness stuck out like a sore thumb, he just wasn’t at the races and although it was a good goal from Bayern, he was to blame for switching off as Gnabry peeled off him. Thankfully though everyone else was superb. Mosquera stepped in with no issues, and I think he’s put his hat in the ring for a start tomorrow. It’s a great feeling knowing that we have two backup options who will both be at the level.

I’m going to try and keep this short because I really could go on for days about the main man at the moment… Declan Rice. Half price for his transfer fee doesn’t do it justice, that man is a priceless footballer, he is without a doubt the best signing Arsenal have made since Thierry Henry. Rice is the best player on the pitch every single time we step out and against Bayern he showed why he truly is one of the most in form players in the world right now. He’s playing with supreme confidence, the way he broke up play on Wednesday night was a different level. Playing against a team that were unbeaten so far this season he made their midfield look slow and switched off. It’s not just his breaking up of play though, his deliveries, whether it be from corners, free kicks or even just balls in behind are inch perfect eight times out of ten. Rice has stood out in both games this week even when the whole team has been electric, his leadership and movement make everything tick for us.

My next praise has to go to Madueke, when he first joined, like most Arsenal fans I was not convinced but he stepped in for Saka perfectly when he was injured and now back from his own injury with his first goal for Arsenal. Every time he’s played this season he has offered us something different, someone willing to continually take his man on and use his pace. He scares his opposite number especially when on the right-hand side being able to cut in onto his left. It was a real shame to lose Trossard to injury as he has been brilliant over the last month but with both Martinelli and Madueke back and firing we have great cover.

Finally, the highest praise of all goes to the boss. Mikel Arteta got it spot on yet again on Wednesday night, the players he changed and the way he set the team up firstly to attack with intent and try to dictate the tempo while also being able to suffer for periods when Bayern were good on the ball. We looked so sharp and that was before he made the changes to win us the game. I have said for many years that I don’t think Arteta has had enough trust in his bench, but he does this season. The introduction of Martinelli and Califiori completely killed Bayern, Califiori has been special this season and he stepped up with a magnificent cross for Madueke. Martinelli yet again came off the bench with an important goal. It feels like this is the first season in a long time where everyone is good enough to fight for a starting spot, but more importantly the competition of not performing and someone stepping straight in.

It was the second superb performance in the space of three days; you would like to think that this momentum can be carried into our visit to Stamford Bridge tomorrow. Cole Palmer will be back for Chelsea making them instantly stronger, but they have been a bit hit or miss this season. They have managed to grind out results without looking convincing but having won their last three games in the league this will not be an easy game. The Blues could close the gap to three points with a win whereas Arsenal will look to extend their gap to second place, moving eight points clear. Coming off the back of the last two games I would expect Arteta to field the same starting lineup as he did against Spurs with Madueke coming in for the injured Trossard. There is an opportunity for Arsenal to finish off their defining week with a final warning to the rest of the league that something special could happen this season. With fellow west Londoners Brentford coming to the Emirates on Wednesday, games are coming thick and fast, we must ride this wave of momentum into December. If you had asked me what I would’ve hoped for from the three games this week I would’ve been happy with two wins and a draw but after seeing the two wins so far I don’t see why we can’t top it off with another. Big day tomorrow.

COYG!

The Northbank Blogger.

Bayern Player Ratings:

Raya – 6.5/10

Timber – 8.5/10

Saliba – 8/10

Mosquera – 7/10

Lewis-Skelly – 5/10

Zubimendi – 6.5/10

Rice – 9.5/10

Eze – 8/10

Saka – 7/10

Merino – 7/10

Trossard - N/A

Subs:

Madueke – 8/10             Martinelli – 7.5/10

White – N/A       Odegaard – N/A