In a high-stakes Champions League encounter, Arsenal emerged 3–1 winners over Bayern Munich after a moment of sheer attacking brilliance from Martinelli.
After the first half ended 1–1 , with goals from Jurrien Timber and 17-year-old Lennart Karl — the second half swung decisively Arsenal’s way.
Then came the moment that broke Bayern’s resolve. A long ball lofted by Eberechi Eze caught Neuer stranded far from his goal. Martinelli, showing impeccable anticipation and composure, ghosted past the keeper and calmly slotted into an empty net.
The goal not only sealed a convincing win for Arsenal, but also ended Bayern’s previously spotless run this season.
Neuer: “I knew the risk — but the touch was perfect”
The decision by Neuer to step out as a sweeper-keeper was bold. He himself admitted after the match that he recognized the danger. As he said: he saw Martinelli sprinting in behind, “I tried to eliminate that beforehand.”
Unfortunately for him and for Bayern Martinelli’s first touch was decisive. Neuer simply couldn’t recover in time. “The touch was simply decisive,” Neuer reflected.
It was a stark reminder that the sweeper-keeper style so effective at times carries huge risk. When it works, it can quell opposition pressure; when it fails, the reward for attackers can be massive.What the goal says about Arsenal and Bayern’s strategies
Arsenal’s aggressive, transitional football paid off They pressed high, forced errors and hit Bayern on the break when they overcommitted. Martinelli’s goal exemplified how quickly Wolves can punish a high defensive line. Bayern’s gamble backfired With Neuer acting as sweeper, the backline pushed higher. That compactness looked comfortable until it didn’t. The space behind them proved fatal. Substitutes making the difference . Alongside Martinelli, another sub, Noni Madueke, also scored, showing how depth and tactical changes under Mikel Arteta are vital.
A defining moment — and a warning for defenders
That third goal will go down as one of the defining moments of the match. It was a sharp illustration of the balance between risk and reward in modern goalkeeping. When Neuer came out, he knew he was taking a gamble. When Martinelli executed that perfect touch, the gamble lost.
