LONDON; Arsenal beat Bayern Munich for the first time in a decade to maintain their 100pc record in the Champions League with a 3-1 home win sending Mikel Arteta’s side clear at the top of the group. This was also Bayern’s first defeat of term in all competitions.

Six points clear at the top of the Premier League and Bundesliga respectively and boasting flawless records after four games in the Champions League, Arsenal and Bayern Munich have been Europe’s stand-out teams this season.

The sides met in the quarter-finals two years ago with Bayern edging it, but Arsenal have reached another level since that clash and went into Wednesday’s game on a 15-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Jurrien Timber headed Arsenal in front from a corner after 22 minutes only for teenager Lennart Karl to equalise for the six-time European champions before halftime.

Arsenal dominated the second half though and displayed their enviable squad depth as substitutes Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli scored the goals to make it five wins from five.

It proved a quiet return to north London for prolific Bayern striker Harry Kane as his side suffered their first defeat of the season in all competitions.

With Inter Milan losing, Arsenal are now the only team in the competition with a maximum 15 points and look all but assured of a place in the last 16.

Bayern slipped to third as one of four clubs on 12 points although with home games against Sporting and Union Saint-Gilloise next they are in good shape to seal a top-eight spot.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said; “I have to congratulate Arsenal, in the end it was a deserved win for them. The first half I felt we could edge it but we allowed them to control the second half.”

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