📊 Bayern's Karl continues breakout season with strike vs Arsenal

Few, if any, young players across the globe are setting Europe ablaze across the 2025/26 season more than Bayern's Lennart Karl .

Still not even 18 years old, the Bavarian-born starlet has forced his way into XI under Vincent Kompany of late amid a rapid rise through the youth club and international ranks.

After going 1-0 down thanks to a 22nd-minute goal from Arsenal full-back Jurriën Timber, the German wunderkind took matters into his own hands to pull the score back level at one-all ten minutes later on the half-volley after being picked out by Serge Gnabry in the box.

It was Karl's sixth total goal contribution in six starts this season, with the Frammersbach native averaging a goal or an assist every 83 minutes of action.

With that, Karl has not only become the youngest player to score in the Champions League against Arsenal , but also became the youngest player in UCL history to score in each of his first two starts, adding to his status as Bayern's youngest-ever goalscorer in the competition.

– Wednesday, 26 November 2025

Though he remains calm and coy about his chances of making Julian Nagelsmann's World Cup squad this summer, Karl's meteoric rise cannot be ignored for much longer.

📸 BEN STANSALL - AFP or licensors