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I’ve been rewatching the Tottenham massacre, every day, since Sunday… and giggling gleefully. Just like that though… we’re already back, to Champions League business.

We host Bayern Munich at The Emirates, and this could quite possibly be the toughest test we’ve faced this season.

Bayern have played 18 games, and have won 17 of them. The game they didn’t win, was a 2-2 draw.

They’re still unbeaten, and score goals in abundance. Like I said, the toughest test we’ve faced so far this season.

We’ve had some HORRENDOUS results against Bayern in the past, so I would of course love us to give them a battering… Especially as ex-Tottenham player, Harry Kane… leads their front line.

Both teams have a 100% record in the Champions League this season.

Arsenal though, are slightly more impressive… because we’re yet to concede a goal.

Like the title alludes to…  Bayern have been the unstoppable force this season, but The Arsenal… have been the immovable object.

Something’s got to give, and we’ll need to give EVERYTHING, to commandeer all 3 points.

Ok, on to the starting lineup…

Raya in goal, Timber at right-back, Saliba, and Mosquera, central…and Lewis-Skelly, at left-back.

I expected Lewis-Skelly to come in for Calafiori, because Calafiori was long overdue for a rest. He’s played A LOT of football this season. Lewis-Skelly is an excellent replacement though.

The inclusion of Mosquera threw me, because I thought Hencapie would’ve kept his place, after his colossal performance, against Rottenham Notspur.

I have absolutely no issues with Mosquera’s defensive capabilities by the way, I’m just surprised.

In the midfield… Eze, Zubimendi, and Rice.

Up front, Arteta went with Saka on the right, Merino through the middle, and Trossard on the left.

Odegaard fit enough to make the bench, and that’s a massive boost to have our skipper back.

We’re a better team, with Odegaard in it… and every time I reflect on how well we’ve done so far this season, I’m in awe. Most of our injuries, have been long term absentees.

We’ve missed Gabriel Jesus for 45 games.

Kai Havertz for 18 games.

Noni Madueke for 12 games.

Martin Odegaard for 8 games.

Bukayo Saka for 6 games.

Viktor Gyokeres for 4 games.

Gabriel Martinelli for 3 games.

William Saliba for 2 games.

Gabriel Magalhaes for 2 games.

There’s been injuries to KEY PLAYERS, throughout this season, and we’re STILL performing at the highest level… still dominating games… and haven’t allowed our passion, or intensity, to be affected.

That’s truly amazing, and it isn’t talked about enough.

Arteta, his backroom staff, and the players, deserve ALL the praise!

The injuries, coupled with the fact that we’ve had to integrate new players into the squad, is something that would destabilize ANY team… but we’re not just ANY team… We’re The Arsenal.

We’re looking through the scope, we have trophies in the crosshairs, and we’re ready to pull the trigger. Our rivals are nothing but wind velocity, for us to adjust to.

Long may this incredible form continue.

The match started rather cagey, with both teams just feeling each other out, and showing a mutual respect.

Bayern were popping the ball about, and were having more of the possession. I’m not used to that, so to say I was sitting uncomfortably, is an understatement.

It was a rainy night in North London, and the ball was zipping off the surface. It was the perfect conditions for slick passing… but also for mistimed tackles, and goalkeeping errors.

The game was frenetic… with both teams trying to hurt the opponent, while remaining cautious of the imminent danger.

We earned a corner in the 22nd minute, which Saka took.

He put a menacing ball in… just in front of the keeper, but behind the defenders… and it activated their panic stations.

Jurrien Timber rose highest, and glanced the ball home. A lovely header, from a player who more than deserved the goal… in terms of how magnificent, he’s played this season.

 AGAIN, he’s the best right-back …IN THE WORLD!!…Anyway, I digress.. It’s 1-0 to the Arsenal!!

Eze put a shot wide, after some wonderful link-up play, with Mikel Merino. He was unlucky, but it should’ve been 2-0… and in the 32^nd minute, we paid dearly, for that squandered chance.

A ball was played very direct, into the left-back area, which was met with a first time cross, and unfortunately… the cross was despatched emphatically, by Lennart Karl, the 17 year old, that came through the Bayern academy. It was an excellent goal… which hurt my feelings even more.

The scoreline 1-1… but heads didn’t drop, and focus, and belief… remained, unwavering. We already showed that Bayern can be got at, and the feeling was, that there’s more goals in this tie for us.

Leandro Trossard was forced off in the 38th minute… the full extent of his injury is unknown, but he did seem to be holding his calf area. Hopefully it’s nothing long term, as he’s been one of our best players this season… consistently scoring big goals, in big games.

Trossard was replaced by Noni Madueke, and he looked bright, and continued where he left off, before his injury. He took players on, dragged players out of position, and his decision making was excellent.

Good to have him back.

The first half ended honours even, and there was plenty for both managers to contemplate.

We started the second half at break-neck speed, and seemed determined to regain the lead, with godlike swiftness.

We pressed higher up the pitch, and reduced Bayern Munich’s time on the ball drastically. This forced more errors, created more set-piece opportunities and enabled us to dominate the second half. Every single set-piece we took, caused all sorts of problems for the Bayern defence… but they seemed to keep surviving, because of lucky blocks, or good saves.

The 62^nd minute, saw the gladiatorial, the irrepressible, the unplayable, Declan Rice… pick the ball up in the midfield… and run at the Bayern Munich defence. He got into the box, took a great shot, but unfortunately…it was saved by Manuel Neuer, the Bayern goalkeeper.

A great run, and then a wonderful effort, from Rice.

In the 68^th minute, Calafiori came on for Lewis-Skelly.

Lewis-Skelly struggled all night against Olise, and that’s ok…Because Olise is a superb winger, also experienced… and Lewis-Skelly is a young player, so inconsistencies in performances, will happen. He’ll learn from it, and come back stronger.

Martinelli was introduced, for Saka…also in the 68^th minute… and I was happy to see Saka get some rest (For once) …and also to see Martinelli back in action, in the Champions League.

Saka put in another marvellous performance. He terrorised the Bayern defenders, created space for others, linked up play beautifully, and was super productive with his passes in the final third. Let’s not forget, he set up Timber’s goal…so that’s yet ANOTHER assist to his name.

Calafiori was only on the pitch for 1 minute, and 20 seconds… before impacting the game.

Rice latched onto a loose ball, and played it quickly to Eze on the left. He spotted Calafiori in acres of space… and slid the ball to him. Calafiori whipped the ball in first time…but this wasn’t any ordinary ball. The ball was bent around three Bayern defenders, and landed at Madueke’s feet, like it was paying homage to him. He tapped the ball in from close range… and put The Arsenal 2-1 up.

Madueke got his first goal us, and did so, by being in the right place… at the right time…which couldn’t of happened, without his great run into the box.

As for the pass from Calafiori… it was otherworldly!!! WOWZERS!!!

With the game still not won, Arsenal reloaded the clip, and continued to fire upon Bayern. They tried their best to take cover, but The Arsenal refused a ceasefire… and in the 77th minute, Bayern were fatally wounded.

Eze picked up the ball deep inside his own half, looked up… and saw Gabriel Martinelli running at about 74mph, leaving opposition players in his wake. Eze played a glorious ball over the top, which landed near the centre circle… and Martinelli touched the ball around the onrushing Manuel Neuer, who was in no man’s land… and then Martinelli, still sprinting…got to the edge of the Bayern box, and tapped the ball into an empty net. WHAT A STUPENDOUS GOAL!!

3-1 to the Arsenal!! Martinelli now has 4 goals, in 5 Champions League games. An incredible return.

Bayern had no answers, to Arsenal’s footballing questions… and with the game seemingly over, Arteta made some more changes in the 81^st minute.

Martin Odegaard came on for Eze, and Ben White came on for Timber.

It was good to see Odegaard back in first team action, even if it was only for 10 minutes.

I hope to see more of Ben White, as the season progresses, because Timber cannot play every single game. He’s an incredible athlete…but even incredible athletes, need a rest.

Eze had a brilliant game, and besides being involved in 2 of our goals… he passed with astounding accuracy, and showed great composure on the ball, that inspired others around him.

Zubaaah-Zubaaah (Zubimendi) is another player, who had an exceptional game… and he’s been exceptional, since pre-season. He’s a wonderful player, that has added an efficiency to our midfield, that opposition teams struggle to cope with. He moves the ball quickly, accurately, and always makes forward passes. This enables us to build our attacks much, much quicker.

The match finished 3-1 to The Arsenal. We FINALLY got our revenge on Bayern Munich, after the years of pain that they’ve caused us.

Make no mistake, this was a statement win. Bayern were well beaten, and they’re a team that many regard (Including me) as the best team in Europe, right now.

For us to play the way we did, and to beat them the way we did, AFTER the physical, and emotional demands, of the North London Derby… is nothing short of spectacular. The reverberations of this win, will be felt all around Europe.

Next up for The Arsenal… we face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It’ll undoubtedly be a tough game, but I’m convinced that we’ll give The Blues…. the blues.

COYG!!