Arsenal Let Slip 2-0 Lead in European Defeat to German Giants
Arsenal required a strong display and positive outcome against a European powerhouse, but Renée Slegers’s side relinquished their 2-0 advantage and the victory to Bayern Munich far too easily, plunging their European campaign into difficult waters.
Contrasting Fortunes from Last Season
In the previous campaign, a battling comeback from a goal behind to a narrow win over Bayern in their last group stage match avenged their opening 5-2 loss to the German opponents and ignited their phenomenal run to the championship match. It represented a turning point in their season, showing a mental toughness that propelled them to a European triumph. Their breakdown here demonstrated they are yet to recapture the fighting spirit that led to victory in May.
Travelling Supporters in Germany
More than 400 Arsenal fans had made the trip to Munich, many filing into the city's famous beer hall before the game for their pre-match meet-up. They were shoved into a corner of the middle tier at the Allianz Arena, but still created an atmosphere, battling against the impressive home crowd of over 15,000 that made their presence felt in the stands below.
Building on Recent Form
The Arsenal goalkeeper had stated her team had "given their all" in their hard-fought tie with Chelsea on Saturday. They were "deeply disappointed" by the outcome against the league leaders, with controversial officiating receiving much criticism of those frustrations.
The aim, though, was to take the energy of that impressive second-half display to Germany with them. Arsenal had begun poorly against Chelsea. In Munich they stuck to the plan and there was no repetition of that sluggish beginning.
Strong Start for Visitors
They started aggressively. The England forward was particularly energetic and caused problems for the Bayern defender Franziska Kett and the midfielder Japanese international on the right as Arsenal's high and aggressive pressing reaped its rewards.
It was the forward's attempt that ensured Arsenal took the lead in the early stages, the striker's effort unusually parried by the Bayern goalkeeper, the German shot-stopper. The midfielder was there to nod the ball back over the goalkeeper and in.
Doubling the Advantage
Arsenal's next score arrived midway through the half. Bayern's determination to play out from the back had been dangerous and was capitalized on. The winger intercepted the defender's wayward ball and passed to Stina Blackstenius, who directed it towards Mariona Caldentey on the penalty area. The mercurial midfielder took a control to create space from Tanikawa before driving past the goalkeeper.
After Break Turnaround
The intensity lessened a little in the final period. José Barcala turned to his bench to try to bring his side into the game: the former Chelsea forward Danish international, whose three goals in October 2024 turned the match from 2-2 to 5-2, came on and Arianna Caruso and Turkish talent arrived soon after. The last of these would cause problems first, flying away on the break and collecting from Klara Bühl before directing the ball past Van Domselaar.
Complete Comeback
It was Bayern in the driving seat after the deficit was reduced, the home team sensing they could get a result from the game. Harder delivered, floating a cross in from the edge of the area to level. They did not just want to draw, though: they wanted it all, and shortly after they had the lead, Glodis Viggosdottir scoring at the near post from Bühl's cross. This time it was a sluggish end that disappointed Arsenal and, with a single victory from their European matches, they have a big job ahead.
