Mikel Arteta was quick to label Bayern Munich as the “best team in Europe,” yet Arsenal’s dominant victory over the German champions — one that preserved their perfect Champions League record — raised a compelling question: Are the Gunners now the continent’s most commanding force?
Arsenal’s campaign has been nothing short of exceptional. They have won 16 of their 19 matches across all competitions, suffering just a single defeat. In Europe, they have opened their Champions League season with five straight wins for the first time since their 2005-06 run to the final — and remain the only club with a 100% record in this year’s competition.
Their latest triumph also ended an eight-year winless streak against Bayern, a psychological barrier that had stretched back to 2015.
Former Arsenal and England defender Matt Upson captured the shift in mentality on BBC Radio 5 Live:
“The confidence is there — you can feel it constantly simmering. They no longer have wild fluctuations in performance. What used to be flashes of brilliance followed by sharp drop-offs has been replaced by consistent, controlled output. They’re a 7-out-of-10 minimum every game, and at times they reach a 9.”
Bayern themselves arrived at the Emirates unbeaten in all competitions, having lost only three of their previous 52 Champions League group-stage fixtures (W45, D4). But Arteta’s side blunted them in every phase.
Arteta praised his players’ tactical and physical resilience:
“Individually, we were immense in dealing with their challenges. The margins at this level are tiny. It’s a massive win, but we move straight on to preparation for Stamford Bridge.”
Midfielder Declan Rice — named UEFA’s player of the match — echoed his manager, highlighting both the significance of the result and Arsenal’s growth:
“This was probably our toughest tactical test of the season. Bayern have been the best team in Europe. But we went man-for-man and were outstanding. There’s hunger and leadership everywhere right now. We’re not getting carried away, but this feels different to last season.”
Despite injuries to key forwards Viktor Gyökeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, Arteta was still able to summon Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli from the bench — a reflection of the squad depth built over the summer.
Madueke, who scored his first Arsenal goal on the night, underlined his confidence and the belief the staff have placed in him. Martinelli, meanwhile, continued his European scoring streak, netting for the fourth consecutive Champions League match.
Upson believes this depth is now a defining feature of Arteta’s project:
“Arsenal’s bench delivers in all areas — energy, technical quality, and direct impact. Multiple substitutes are influencing games. Arteta has managed to keep a deep squad motivated, aligned, and competitive for starting roles.”
With captain Martin Ødegaard back, and both Gyökeres and Havertz nearing full fitness, Arsenal’s attacking options are set to strengthen even further.
Arteta has built a squad operating with remarkable unity and clarity. Standards remain high regardless of injuries or rotation, and every player appears locked into the collective ambition: pushing for the Premier League title and advancing deep into the Champions League.
Whether Arsenal are truly the “most formidable team in Europe” remains a question for the coming months — but their trajectory, both statistically and tactically, suggests they are now firmly in the conversation.
