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The London side required a impressive display and favorable outcome against a continental giant, but the team relinquished their two-goal lead and all three points 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 2-1 down to a 3-2 victory over Bayern in their final group game avenged their heavy defeat 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 carried them to a second Champions League title. Their breakdown here demonstrated they are yet to recapture the spirit that led to victory in May.

Travelling Supporters in Germany

Over four hundred Arsenal fans had traveled to Munich, many filing into the city's famous beer hall before the game for their traditional gathering. They were placed in a section of the middle tier at the Allianz Arena, but still made their voices heard, battling against the impressive home crowd of over 15,000 that brought the noise in the stands below.

Building on Previous Performance

Daphne van Domselaar had stated her team had "given their all" in their hard-fought tie with Chelsea on Saturday. They were "deeply disappointed" by the result against the WSL champions, with controversial officiating bearing the brunt of those frustrations.

The goal, though, was to channel the momentum 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 repeat of that slow start.

Strong Start for Arsenal

They opened on the front foot. Beth Mead was particularly energetic and created difficulties for the Bayern defender Franziska Kett and the central player Japanese international on the right as Arsenal's high and aggressive pressing proved effective.

It was Mead's effort that gave Arsenal the advantage in the fifth minute, the striker's effort strangely pushed away by the Bayern goalkeeper, Maria Luisa Grohs. The midfielder was there to head it back over the goalkeeper and in.

Extending the Lead

Arsenal's second goal arrived midway through the half. Bayern's determination to play out from the back had been risky and was capitalized on. The winger cut out the defender's wayward ball and laid off to the Swedish striker, who directed it towards the Spanish midfielder on the edge of the box. The talented playmaker took a touch to alleviate pressure from the defender before lashing past the goalkeeper.

Second Half Collapse

The intensity dropped a little in the second half. 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, entered and Arianna Caruso and Alara Sehitler followed shortly. The last of these would cause problems first, sprinting forward and collecting from German winger before directing the ball past Van Domselaar.

Total Comeback

It was Bayern in the driving seat after the gap narrowed, the hosts believing they could take something from the game. Harder delivered, clipping a cross in from the penalty box to level. They did not just want to take something, though: they wanted it all, and six minutes later they had the advantage, Icelandic defender scoring at the front post from Bühl's cross. This time it was a sluggish end that let down Arsenal and, with one win from their European matches, they have a major challenge ahead.