Olivier Giroud came off the bench to help give Arsenal a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich and keep alive their Champions League hopes.

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 Mezut 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.

Bayern supporters held a protest at ticket prices for the opening five minutes — the slogans declaring ‘without fans football is not worth a penny’ — and were applauded from the home ends when they eventually took their seats.

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Arsenal made a bright start, as Ozil found himself with space for a shot from the edge of the Bayern penalty area after a driving run by Alexis Sanchez, but Neuer got down at full stretch to save. The hosts were then carved open on 11 minutes down the right as a clever one-two from Thomas Muller released Thiago into the box, and his snap shot was beaten away by Petr Cech.

The Germans, who had scored 38 goals in their 12-match winning run in all competitions this season, continued to dominate possession, and Cech was called on again to parry away a lofted effort from Arturo Vidal. Arsenal, though, had a great chance to take the lead on 33 minutes. Nacho Monreal whipped a ball in from the left, which Walcott sent goalwards with a bullet header from six yards. Neuer threw out a strong hand to somehow claw it off the line, with Aaron Ramsey unable to scramble the loose ball in at the far post.

Arsenal resumed the second half with spirits raised from their positive spell, but were soon back on the defensive as the busy Douglas Costa sent a 20-yard rising drive just over.

Wales midfielder Ramsey pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury on 57 minutes and was replaced by England’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Bayern were in again when Robert Lewandowski was played clear on the right side of the Arsenal penalty area, but Cech made a superb save with his chest to send the ball over the bar and deny the in-form Poland forward. It proved a crucial intervention as Arsenal snatched the lead with 13 minutes left.

A deep free-kick from Santi Cazorla caused panic in the Bayern box, where Neuer was caught in no man’s land, flapping at the loose ball and Giroud, just on for Walcott, was perfectly placed to bundle a stooped header into the empty net.

With the clock running down, Lewandowski turned into the right side of the penalty area, but delayed his shot under pressure from Laurent Koscielny.

Arsenal broke deep into stoppage time, with Hector Bellerin scampering away down the right. His low cross was side-footed goalwards by Ozil. Although Neuer pushed the ball out and Oxlade-Chamberlain scuffed the rebound over, the additional assistant correctly ruled Ozil’s shot had crossed the line.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

TWEET OF THE MATCH

PLAYER RATINGS

Arsenal
Petr Cech: 9
Hector Bellerin: 7
Per Mertesacker: 7
Laurent Koscielny: 7
Nacho Monreal: 7
Francis Coquelin: 7
Santi Cazorla: 6
Aaron Ramsey: 6
Mesut Ozil: 7
Alexis Sanchez: 6
Theo Walcott: 7

Substitutes
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 6
Olivier Giroud: 7
Kieran Gibbs: 6

STAR PLAYER

Petr Cech: While Manuel Neuer receives the plaudits for a tremendous save from Theo Walcott, Cech went about his business and kept Bayern at bay with at least three top-class saves. Arsenal would surely have been much cosier in the group had Wenger fielded his first-choice goalkeeper throughout the competition.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Manuel Neuer: From the sublime to the ridiculous on the night for the World Cup winner but his save from Walcott before half-time will live long in the memory. The Bayern stopper somehow got across to push out Walcott's header. It could have proved so costly for the Gunners, but Neuer's flap later on undid his earlier heroics.

VIEW FROM THE BENCH

A case of 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' from Arsene Wenger as he named the same starting XI as the win at Watford. The Arsenal boss also deserves credit for throwing on Giroud, who proved to be the match-winner. Pep Guardiola set his side up to be efficient on the ball and the visitors could have been out of sight before Giroud's goal had it not been for Cech.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

Where was this kind of performance against the supposedly weaker teams in Group F? Anything near these levels and both Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiacos would have been disposed of with ease. Both team selection and performances were questionable across the two earlier fixtures which means that, despite this win, qualification for the knockout rounds remains an uphill task for Wenger's men.

WHO'S UP NEXT

Arsenal vs. Everton (Premier League, Saturday, Oct. 24)

Giroud, who was on the pitch for barely three minutes before scoring Arsenal's first goal, felt the Gunners stuck to their gameplan despite the visitors having 68 percent of possession throughout the game.

He told BT Sport Europe: "We defended really well. We knew that Bayern Munich would have much of the ball because they play well when they have possession. They dominate the game but we were patient and finally we managed to score."

Having lost their first two games in Group F, the hosts knew only a win would keep their hopes of reaching the last 16 in the Champions League alive, and the Frenchman echoed the significance placed on the match prior to kick-off.

Giroud said: "We really needed this run to stay in the Champions League and qualify for the next stage. We knew that it would be difficult but we did it together."

Man of the match Petr Cech took the plaudits in his first Champions League start for the Gunners and Giroud applauded the crucial saves made by the Czech Republic international.

"We have to thank Petr. We are pleased tonight. It was a fantastic win but we need to focus on the next game and keep the confidence high."