James Benge
jamesbenge.bsky.social
James Benge
@jamesbenge.bsky.social
Football Correspondent, CBS

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Reposted by James Benge
Arsenal are the best team in the world right now. As Kompany said “no one wants to be the best in November”.

A lot could change come May. For instance Arsenal could have more than one Gabby, a fit centre forward, their captain and technical leader available. www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
Arsenal are best team in the world, and win over Bayern Munich was latest evidence
The Gunners thoroughly outplayed the visitors on Wednesday, and 'they are just getting started'
www.cbssports.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Arsenal are the best team in the world right now. As Kompany said “no one wants to be the best in November”.

A lot could change come May. For instance Arsenal could have more than one Gabby, a fit centre forward, their captain and technical leader available. www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
Arsenal are best team in the world, and win over Bayern Munich was latest evidence
The Gunners thoroughly outplayed the visitors on Wednesday, and 'they are just getting started'
www.cbssports.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Bayern Munich, who twice went 20ish minutes without getting into the Arsenal penalty area, ended this game with 0.68 xG.

That is the third *most* xG by an Arsenal opponent in Premier League and European games this season.
November 26, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Interesting press conference from Arteta. Really intent on not allowing anyone to get carried away, those of us in the room as much as anyone. Said Bayern are "the best team in Europe" and really didn't want to engage with the idea of what that might make Arsenal.
November 26, 2025 at 10:35 PM
FT Arsenal 3, Bayern Munich 1 - Not much I can say beyond fucking hell, this lot are decent
November 26, 2025 at 9:55 PM
A lot of me thinks Arteta should take off Saliba, Zubimendi etc and get the rest playing walking football to preserve energy for Sunday.

But another two goals really would make for a particularly delicious narrative treat.
November 26, 2025 at 9:38 PM
3-1, Martinelli
November 26, 2025 at 9:36 PM
2-1, Madueke
November 26, 2025 at 9:29 PM
How Arsenal haven't scored at least once in this half is increasingly a matter for the country's leading particle physicists and/or theologians.
November 26, 2025 at 9:23 PM
These set piece deliveries from both sides! Maybe Bayern are not the best at defending dead balls -- their record suggests they might be -- but a lot of good teams would struggle with what Rice and Saka are putting in the box.
November 26, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Odegaard doing one on one drills with Sam Wilson at half time. May not be long before we see the Arsenal captain.
November 26, 2025 at 8:50 PM
HT Arsenal 1, Bayern Munich 1 - Football at a very high level here. Up there with the best performances Arsenal have delivered this season, they move in total synchronicity. Like those moments when a brilliant band just clicks.
November 26, 2025 at 8:50 PM
1-1, Karl
November 26, 2025 at 8:32 PM
1-0, Timber
November 26, 2025 at 8:22 PM
There haven't quite been enough attacks to say for sure but it seems like Arsenal are having Merino drop a fair way off the CF position to form more of a box midfield with Saka and Trossard almost an ultra wide front two.
November 26, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Saka's positioning in Arsenal's attacks has been impressive, as it was against Spurs. He knows that his full back is going to feel like he has to follow him infield, a few moments ago Merino had so much space out right. Then he stayed there and defenders seemed to miss Trossard.
November 26, 2025 at 8:10 PM
A lot of fireworks ringing round the Emirates pre-match but they serve to illuminate the empty patches in the upper tier. Not judging anyone for arriving late, I think it just speaks to the sense of this as a bit after the lord mayor's show. These teams are too good for there to be stakes tonight.
November 26, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Merino

Odegaard on the bench

Bayern Munich XI: Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Karl, Gnabry; Kane
November 26, 2025 at 6:47 PM
They played Climbing Up The Walls ☠️
November 24, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Reposted by James Benge
one of the concerns about Eze as a "scale-up" player for a title contending side is that his production is heavily tilted to getting his own shot, which is usually not what top teams are looking for in a 10

except, this season, it is exactly what Arsenal turned out to be looking for
Only two players in the Premier League (Haaland and Mateta) have taken more shots this season than Eberechi Eze. He averages more shots per 90 than most elite strikers and significantly more than anyone else on Arsenal.

Eze, just what Arsenal needed. www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
November 24, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Only two players in the Premier League (Haaland and Mateta) have taken more shots this season than Eberechi Eze. He averages more shots per 90 than most elite strikers and significantly more than anyone else on Arsenal.

Eze, just what Arsenal needed. www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
November 24, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Reposted by James Benge
Of course it’s about the day that Eberechi Eze prayed and worked for.

The bigger picture look is even better though. Arsenal have needed someone who’ll take the imperfect shots. Eze is that player and it changes games against low blocks and opponents who haven’t come to play.
Eberechi Eze's hat trick did more than just etch his place in Arsenal folklore
After nearly signing for Tottenham before the season, the Gunner newcomer produced quite the showing against Spurs
www.cbssports.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Of course it’s about the day that Eberechi Eze prayed and worked for.

The bigger picture look is even better though. Arsenal have needed someone who’ll take the imperfect shots. Eze is that player and it changes games against low blocks and opponents who haven’t come to play.
Eberechi Eze's hat trick did more than just etch his place in Arsenal folklore
After nearly signing for Tottenham before the season, the Gunner newcomer produced quite the showing against Spurs
www.cbssports.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:20 PM
I broadly agree with Thomas Frank that the system was not the reason why Spurs lacked the aggression and intent that could have bridged the gap. However there's a real possibility that going back five sends the wrong message to your players about how you want to approach things.
November 23, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Thomas Frank asked what disappointed him most about the performance

"Where should I start?"
November 23, 2025 at 7:09 PM