{"id":293303,"date":"2023-09-20T22:04:08","date_gmt":"2023-09-20T22:04:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=293303"},"modified":"2023-09-20T22:04:08","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T22:04:08","slug":"bayern-hold-off-united-late-show-arsenal-shine-on-champions-league-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/bayern-hold-off-united-late-show-arsenal-shine-on-champions-league-return\/","title":{"rendered":"Bayern hold off United late show, Arsenal shine on Champions League return"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Munich:<\/strong> Bayern Munich struck twice in four minutes in the first half to set them on their way to a 4-3 victory over an embattled Manchester United on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) and make a winning start in Champions League Group A.<\/p>\n

Arsenal, meanwhile, made a stylish return by sweeping aside PSV Eindhoven 4-0 at Emirates Stadium after a six-year absence from the competition.<\/p>\n

Goals from Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry in the 28th and 32nd minutes put Bayern firmly in the driver\u2019s seat with injury-hit United, who have now lost their last three matches, pulling a goal back in the 49th through Rasmus Hojlund\u2019s deflected effort.<\/p>\n

United, who lost 3-1 to both Brighton and Arsenal in their previous two games, have now conceded three goals or more in three consecutive matches for the first time since December 1978.<\/p>\n

Bayern crushed United\u2019s hopes of a comeback four minutes later with a Harry Kane penalty, awarded for a handball by Christian Eriksen, to restore their two-goal cushion.<\/p>\n

Casemiro slotted in from close range in the 88th minute but substitute Mathys Tel scored once more for Bayern in stoppage time. Casemiro headed in another for United with the last move of the game.<\/p>\n

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Star recruit Harry Kane celebrates after netting Bayern\u2019s third goal in Munich.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n

The hosts, unbeaten now in their last 28 Champions League group stage home matches also hit the woodwork through Sane and Thomas Mueller in the second half.<\/p>\n

In London, Arsenal seemed determined to make up for lost time and jumped out to a 3-0 lead by the 38th minute \u2013 with PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez having made a couple of good saves by then to prevent an even bigger scoreline.<\/p>\n

In a game played in driving rain throughout, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus all scored in the first half, before Martin Odegaard added the fourth with a long-range strike in the 70th.<\/p>\n

Arsenal qualified for the Champions League for 19 straight years under Arsene Wenger but had not played in the competition since 2016-17. PSV last played in it five years ago, and the two teams met in the group stage of the second-tier Europa League last season.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Martin Odegaard turned in a captain\u2019s knock for Arsenal on their return to the Champions League.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n

Arsenal beat PSV 1-0 at home that time, but this was a far more one-sided affair.<\/p>\n

Saka opened the scoring in the eighth minute by slipping away from US international Sergino Dest and slotting in the rebound after Benitez had pushed away a low shot from Odegaard. Saka turned provider by teeing up Trossard on the edge of the area in the 20th, and the Belgian fired a low right-footed shot just inside the far post.<\/p>\n

It was Trossard\u2019s turn to assist on the next one, sending in a cross from the left to Jesus, who downed the ball with one touch and blasted a shot into the far corner with his second. Jesus was making his first start of the season after recovering from a knee injury.<\/p>\n

PSV had started brightly and tested Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya with a couple of low shots on the slick surface in the opening few minutes. But the visitors rarely threatened again until a counterattack in the 54th, when Johan Bakayoko only managed a weak shot straight at Raya.<\/p>\n

Champions League matchday 1 results<\/h3>\n

Wednesday (AEST):<\/p>\n