Bayern Munich Faces First Defeat of the Season Against Arsenal

Bayern Munich experienced its first defeat of the season during a Champions League clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Young talent Lennart Karl equalized after Jurrien Timber’s 22nd-minute goal, but Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli sealed the victory for Arsenal with two goals in a rapid succession in the second half.

This loss marked the end of Bayern’s impressive 18-game unbeaten streak since the commencement of the 2025-26 season, in which they secured 17 victories and a single draw. Furthermore, they set a new record by surpassing AC Milan’s long-standing achievement of 13 consecutive wins at the beginning of a season, winning their first 16 matches.

In the wake of the match, Bayern CEO Dreesen delivered an emotional address at a banquet in London, expressing his appreciation for the team’s progress and encouraging coach Vincent Kompany and the players to remain positive. “I did a little Googling, and the last defeat was exactly 144 days ago in the quarter-final match against Paris Saint-Germain at the Club World Cup,” he remarked. “In the last 18 competitive matches, we have grown accustomed to winning, so it is understandably difficult to accept a loss.

“We put forth a strong first half, highlighted by a remarkable equalizer from the trio of Josh [Kimmich], Serge [Gnabry], and Lennart. However, we were clearly outperformed in the second half, and we must commend Arsenal for their performance; they rightfully won. Congratulations to Arsenal,” Dreesen added.

He acknowledged that experiencing a loss now is preferable to facing such a setback during critical knockout phases. “Some have said it is better to lose now than later in the knockout stage, and there is merit to that perspective,” he admitted. “We have enjoyed an incredible journey together during these 18 games, and your outstanding football has brought joy to us and our fans. Today is merely a pause in our journey.

“While we may feel disheartened today, we trust in your abilities as a top team. It is unfortunate, but we look forward to our next match against St. Pauli on Saturday,” he continued.

This victory for Arsenal marked their first win against Bayern in a decade. The match buildup emphasized the strength of both teams, but Arsenal now stands as the only team in the Champions League to secure five wins out of five this season, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the trophy on May 30.

In contrast, the defeat exposed vulnerabilities in Bayern’s squad, which boasts an impressive attacking lineup featuring stars like Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Luis Diaz.

“I don’t like excuses,” Kompany stated to the press, acknowledging Bayern’s inferiority on the night. “We have lost, and frankly, Arsenal were better today; we need to address this ahead of Saturday.

Bayern aims to ensure that this setback against Arsenal is viewed as a singular occurrence rather than a sign of declining form. Currently, they maintain a six-point advantage at the top of the Bundesliga table and will seek to extend this lead in their upcoming match against St. Pauli at Allianz Arena.