Key Points
- Tottenham and England captain Harry Kane insists there is no panic following Bayern Munich’s first loss of the 2025-26 season, inflicted by Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League.
- Arsenal won the match 3-1 at Emirates Stadium, coming from behind with two second-half goals from substitutes Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.
- The game was tightly contested in the first half but Bayern lost energy and duels in the second half, contributing to their defeat.
- Arsenal topped the Premier League by six points and lead their Champions League group by three points, virtually securing their place in the last 16.
- Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich described Paris Saint-Germain as the toughest team Bayern played this season despite the loss to Arsenal.
- Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta praised his team’s growth and squad depth compared to two years ago when Bayern eliminated them in the Champions League quarter-finals.
What happened in the Arsenal vs Bayern Munich Champions League match?
As reported by ESPN and Sky Sports, Arsenal delivered a commanding 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich on November 26, 2025, at the Emirates Stadium in London. Bayern took an early lead through Lennart Karl in the 32nd minute, but Arsenal equalised via Jurriën Timber’s header from a Bukayo Saka set piece in the 22nd minute. The Gunners sealed the win with two second-half goals from substitutes Noni Madueke (69th minute) and Gabriel Martinelli (77th minute). The result marked Bayern’s first loss of the season, a rare defeat for the Bundesliga giants. Arsenal’s win gave them a perfect record of five wins from five games in the group stage, propelling them to the top of their Champions League group by three points over Bayern and virtually securing last 16 qualification.​
How did Harry Kane respond to Bayern’s first defeat?
Harry Kane, during his record-breaking career at Tottenham Hotspur with 14 goals in 17 North London derbies, addressed the loss calmly. Kane, who has scored 29 goals this season for club and country, commented on the match’s intensity and recognised Bayern’s strong first-half performance.
“It was a tough game which is kind of what we expected. It was a good battle in the first half which was fairly even,”
Kane said, adding that Bayern lacked the same energy and intensity after halftime and lost too many duels. Despite the defeat, Kane emphasised that there was no panic within the squad:
“It’s our first loss of the season. We don’t want to panic too much about it. But we will learn about it for sure.”
He also predicted that Bayern and Arsenal could meet again in the latter stages of the Champions League next spring, showcasing the high level of competition between the two sides.​
What changes have Arsenal made since their last clash with Bayern?
As stated by Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, the team is markedly different from their side two years ago when Bayern eliminated them in the Champions League quarter-finals by a 3-2 aggregate score. Arteta reflected on the improvements, particularly in squad depth following a significant summer investment, which has allowed Arsenal to compete at the highest levels more effectively. Despite missing key players like defender Gabriel and £63.5 million striker Viktor Gyokeres during this match, Arsenal had a bench packed with talented match-winners. Arteta concluded,
“We are different, they are different as well. It was a different stage of the competition and it was thin margins how we went out. We learn, we are better”.​
What is Declan Rice’s view on Arsenal’s Champions League prospects?
Declan Rice, who was named man of the match for his outstanding performance, reassured fans and pundits alike that Arsenal will not become complacent despite their strong position. The team currently leads the Premier League by six points and holds a three-point advantage at the top of their Champions League group, signalling confidence but also readiness to improve and face forthcoming challenges with focus and determination.​
How are Bayern Munich players reacting to the defeat?
Bayern’s midfielder Joshua Kimmich was quoted describing the Paris Saint-Germain team as the toughest opponent Bayern have faced this season, underlining that despite the loss to Arsenal, Bayern still consider PSG their benchmark challenge in the Champions League. The defeat to Arsenal was seen by Bayern players as a hard-fought battle where set pieces and long balls played a significant tactical role, but not enough to secure a positive result.
