Arsene Wenger says his Arsenal side have the discipline to stay out in front if they return to the top of the table on Saturday.
The Gunners' boss picked out the individual contributions of Mesut Ozil and Petr Cech in a side which has won their last three matches without conceding a single goal in the process.
But the Frenchman claimed his whole squad has grown up since their last spell in first place was ended by a 5-1 thrashing at Anfield in February 2014.
Victory over Everton at the Emirates in Saturday's evening game will see them back as No.1 for at least 24 hours. Arsenal’s recent title shots have seen their undoubted flair compromised by flakiness.
In pictures — Arsenal train for the Everton game:
But Wenger, who changed tactics to soak up Bayern Munich pressure in midweek to win without having much of the ball, said: “We have maybe a better discipline.
“People reproached us many times, ‘Okay, Arsenal play football but they are a bit fragile’. Before, maybe, when we were not dominating the game, completely we were a bit insecure. On Tuesday, Bayern had a lot of the ball, but we could handle that.”
Wenger has always urged “world class” Ozil to create and score more goals – and he obliged against the champions of his homeland.
“He is 27 now,” the Frenchman said. “It is the golden age of a football player - 27 to 31, 32 - the age when you know your job. You realise suddenly that it is not only important to play, it is important to win as well.
“Under 25, you think you can last for ever. Once you get to 27, you realise it’s time to capitalise on what you have learned and efficiency takes a little bit over the playing mood.
“His talent is fantastic. Sometimes I think he sacrifices himself for the team.”
David Ospina was picked instead in goal for the first two Champions League group games - both Arsenal defeats - but former Chelsea star Cech was superb against the Bundesliga leaders.
In pictures — Arsenal 2-0 Bayern Munich:
“You could see the other night that in a big, big game how important that is,” Wenger said. “Because the first goal is the decider in a big game.”
The Arsenal manager also revealed he asked England counterpart Roy Hodgson to not play Theo Walcott on the artificial turf in Lithuania last week: "We asked him to consider being cautious, and to speak to Theo to ask him how he felt.”