Vincent Kompany responds to Mikel Arteta’s ‘best team in Europe’ claim after Arsenal beat Bayern

Vincent Kompany played down Mikel Arteta’s suggestion that Arsenal had beaten the ‘best team in Europea’ after Bayern Munich suffered a Champions League humbling.

Two 100% European records were on the line at the Emirates Stadium last night and it was the home side who emerged victorious after a scintillating second half display.

Goals from substitutes Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli sealed a landmark win for Arteta’s ever improving side who overcame a shaky start to vanquish a team who have, themselves, been riding the crest of a wave.

Bayern, runaway leaders in the Bundesliga, had already beaten defending champions PSG away from home in the competition this season, but simply melted away after the restart amid an Arsenal onslaught.

‘I have to praise our players because I think they had an incredible match against, in my opinion, the best team in Europe,’ said Arteta when asked how he would keep his players grounded after another impressive result which came hot on the heel’s of last weekend’s north London derby demolition.

‘Individually, we were immense to resolve all the challenges that these teams bring to the table. After, yes, they know how hard we worked to prepare for every single game.

‘We know that the margins are super small. We started the week really well against Spurs, winning here at home.

‘Today is another massive victory, but that’s it. Now we go home, have a nice dinner and tomorrow morning we start to prepare for Stamford Bridge.’

Although the opening period was evenly contested, the statistics come full-time made for grim reading from a Bayern perspective.

The German champions, who had scored two goals or more in every game in all competitions this season prior to last night, registered their lowest xG of the campaign so far of 0.69 and managed just 13 touches in the opposition penalty area.

Harry Kane may have been anticipating another productive night, meanwhile, particularly in the absence of Gabriel Magalhaes, but Cristhian Mosquera excelled and ensured the England captain failed to register a single shot against Arsenal for the first time in his career in a match where he had completed 90 minutes.

Asked for his assessment of Arteta’s claim that Arsenal had beaten the continent’s current standar-bearers, however, Kompany reminded his counterpart that nobody wants to be considered best in class at this stage of the season.

‘We had this discussion three weeks ago when we played PSG,’ Kompany said in his post match press conference.

”They were mentioning the same thing. I don’t think any of us want to be the best team in November.

‘We’re trying to use everything now to build our season towards being there in the important moments.’

In a subsequent TV interview, Kompany, who was coached by Arteta during their time together at Manchester City, added: ‘I’d love to play them again as soon as possible. Hopefully in the latter stages with a good amount of learning from this game.

‘Every team can lose, that’s football. I thought we didn’t have a bad start in the first half, but then conceded from a set piece. Nevertheless, we got the momentum back and equalised.

‘At half time, my feeling was that we could win the game if we keep it up. But we didn’t find our rhythm in the second half.

‘Arsenal managed to decide the game. They had a very good game management and used the small moments to their favour.

‘I won’t look for excuses. We have to say that Arsenal were better. We have to solve things on Saturday. I feel the boys are already hungry for the next game.’