Arsenal star has been criticised for his role in Bayern Munich’s equaliser during the Gunners’ 3-1 Champions League win, accusing the player of “falling asleep” in the buildup to Lennart Karl’s superb strike.
Arsenal struck first at the Emirates after a period of early Bayern pressure, with Jurrien Timber rising highest to meet Bukayo Saka’s corner in the 22nd minute, powering a header past Manuel Neuer. But the Bundesliga side, who had gone more than ten years without losing to Arsenal responded swiftly.
Just ten minutes later, 17-year-old Karl capped off a stunning 24-pass move, arriving at the far post to convert Serge Gnabry’s volleyed cross and level the match. The teenager, shining brightly again, became the youngest player in Champions League history to score in his first two appearances.
Merson, however, believes the goal could have been prevented. “Myles Lewis-Skelly falls asleep. It’s a diagonal ball over to Gnabry but he falls asleep Lewis-Skelly, it goes over his head,” the former Arsenal midfielder said on Sky Sports.
“But what a goal, honestly! It goes over the top of Lewis-Skelly, Gnabry made a great run and he just plays a volley across the goal and there’s Karl who comes running in and smashes it in the net. It’s a phenomenal goal, a brilliant goal. Karl scores out of nothing. That’s what they’ve scored in their last 775 games!”
Mikel Arteta acted quickly after the equaliser, replacing Lewis-Skelly with Riccardo Calafiori midway through the second half. The Italian made an instant impact, whipping in a superb cross that Noni Madueke converted at the back post to restore Arsenal’s advantage.
Gabriel Martinelli added a third late on, racing past Neuer and rolling the ball into an empty net to secure victory and spark jubilant celebrations among the home supporters.
Arsenal ultimately proved too strong after the break, maintaining their perfect European run and strengthening their position at the top of the Champions League table.