Next games: Bayern v Olympiacos, Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb (24 November)
Bayern München produced a clinical performance to overpower Arsenal in Munich, Thomas Müller scoring two of their five goals as the Group F leaders ran amok.
Bayern looked to assert their dominance from the start with Arsenal attempting to press high and give their hosts little time on the ball. That approach was undone in the tenth minute, Thiago Alcántara delivering a perfect cross to meet Robert Lewandowski's brilliantly timed run; the Pole expertly headed in his fourth goal of this season's UEFA Champions League.
Arsenal appeared to bounce back immediately when Mesut Özil had the ball in the net, but the effort was ruled out for handball. Instead it was Bayern who did the majority of the pressing, and only a impressive save from Petr Čech prevented Lewandowski's arcing drive doubling their advantage.
Arsenal's football was quick and fluid, though it rarely resulted in a chance on goal. Bayern showed how it was done again in the 29th minute when Müller collected Kingsley Coman's mis-hit shot to slot in at the near post with the help of a sight deflection off Per Mertesacker.
Things went from bad to worse for the Gunners just before the interval as David Alaba dispossessed Santi Cazorla and curled into the top corner from 25 metres to make it 3-0.
With the points all but won, Josep Guardiola introduced Arjen Robben early in the second period and was rewarded less than a minute later. Alaba turned provider this time, setting up the Dutchman for a tap-in 37 seconds after his introduction.
Olivier Giroud's acrobatic volley gave Arsenal something to show for their labours at last, but fittingly the last word belonged to Bayern. Müller scored his second and his team's fifth in the 89th minute, firing past Čech to round off an impressive home display.
Čech: The better team won
Key player: David Alaba
His most memorable moment was without doubt the long-range strike, but the Austria left-back offered plenty more, keeping Mathieu Debuchy and Joel Campbell busy all night and teeing up Robben's goal with a composed cutback.
Bayern's cutting edge
For all their possession and dominance in the reverse fixture, Bayern had failed to score in north London. This was the complete opposite and there was little Čech could do to stop any of the goals.
Arsenal short of ideas
Despite an impressive opening, Arsène Wenger's men offered very little in attack after going behind. They looked comfortable in possession and Alexis Sánchez showed glimpses of promise as they sought to break down the left, but Giroud was too often isolated up front.
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