Olivier Giroud came off the bench to help give Arsenal a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich and keep alive their Champions League hopes.
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The Germans had arrived at the Emirates Stadium in imperious form following a new Bundesliga record of nine consecutive victories and leaders of Group F with maximum points from two European ties.
However, Arsenal – who had lost their first two matches to sit bottom of the table – produced a resolute display and took the lead on 77 minutes when Giroud headed in after a mistake from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had earlier produced a brilliant save to deny Theo Walcott.
German playmaker Mesut Ozil scored a second in stoppage time to seal the win, his close-range effort given by the fifth official after Neuer had clawed the ball back from over the goalline.
The Gunners, though, still have it all to do to qualify for the knockout stages, and next travel to Munich in November.
@_OlivierGiroud_ – @Arsenal career: Appearances: 147 (37 as sub) Goals: 63 Assists: 28 Not bad for £12 million! pic.twitter.com/U54cB9sWST
— John (@John_AFC_Gooner) October 20, 2015
Barcelona strengthened their position at the top of Champions League Group E as a brace from substitute Ivan Rakitic steered them to a comfortable 2-0 win at BATE Borisov.
After dominating the first half without being able to finish off any of the string of chances they created, the defending champions broke the deadlock in the 48th minute when Rakitic blasted a shot past Syarhey Chernik from Neymar’s tee-up.
The Barca pair then combined again in the 65th minute, Rakitic receiving Neymar’s pass and producing a cool finish to seal the victory.
It leaves the leaders with seven points from three games and with a place in the next round looking ever-more secure, while BATE stay third in the pool with three points.
Luis Enrique: “We did what we had to do here. We created a lot of chances and we leave reinforced” #BateFCB #FCBlive pic.twitter.com/Imp53VBm8H
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 20, 2015
Bayer Leverkusen and Roma battled out a 4-4 draw in a thrilling Champions League Group E clash in Germany that saw both sides produce remarkable comebacks.
The hosts had raced ahead early on thanks to a brace from Javier Hernandez, who scored from the penalty spot in the fourth minute, then tucked away another effort in the 19th.
But Daniele De Rossi drew the match level with a double of his own before half-time, striking in the 30th and 38th minutes.
Miralem Pjanic subsequently put Roma in front with a superb 55th-minute free-kick, and substitute Iago Falque appeared to settle things by making it 4-2 with 17 minutes to go.
However, Kevin Kampl pulled back a delightful goal in the 84th minute and two minutes later Admir Mehmedi – who Leverkusen had brought on as a substitute – notched a close-range equaliser.
Jose says the 2nd half was a trap as we wanted to win but couldn’t risk losing. The draw maintains our ‘stable position’ in the group. #CFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 20, 2015
Eden Hazard and Willian hit the woodwork as Chelsea were held to a goalless draw at Dynamo Kiev.
It was a vastly improved display, even on the win over Aston Villa, but Jose Mourinho’s men stayed third in Champions League Group G behind Porto and Dynamo, who remained unbeaten.
Vincent Aboubakar netted his seventh goal of the season as Porto beat Maccabi Tel-Aviv 2-0 to climb to the top of Champions League Group G.
