Bayern Munich Suffers First Defeat of the Season Against Arsenal

Bayern Munich faced their first defeat in the 2025/26 season, a loss that many associated with the Bundesliga club found well-deserved. Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, and Max Eberl each expressed their responsibility for the outcome, while head coach Vincent Kompany attributed the setback to Arsenal’s superior game management.

The issue of set-pieces was prominently discussed. Bayern’s last four Bundesliga goals, scored against Union Berlin and SC Freiburg, originated from dead balls. In contrast, Arsenal opened the scoring with a corner last night, and their third goal (3-1) resulted from a regrettable decision by Neuer to leave his goal.

“I found myself in a suboptimal position,” Neuer admitted, reflecting on his role in the third Arsenal goal. “When one falls behind, risks must be taken. I advanced to try to prevent a goal. The pass was executed well, and [Gabriel Martinelli] capitalized on it.”

Eberl noted, “In open play, they created chaos that we struggled to defend against. From set-pieces, it is no coincidence that they have scored over 50 percent of their goals in the past two years. Their strength in this area is evident, and they clearly benefit from a skilled coach.”

Kimmich added, “We allowed them too many set-piece opportunities. Our major issue today was the marking on corners. The entire match hinged on set-pieces—corners, free-kicks, and even throw-ins pose significant threats against a team that excels in those situations.”

Kompany remarked during the press conference, “Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have been working together for six-and-a-half years. They have united in challenging circumstances. Today, we only needed one ball, and the ball boys on the sidelines had little to do.”

GGFN | Peter Weis