🔗 Share this article Arsenal Let Slip Two-Goal Advantage in Champions League Loss to Bayern Munich Arsenal required a strong display and positive outcome against a continental giant, but Renée Slegers’s side relinquished their two-goal lead and the victory to Bayern Munich far too easily, plunging their Champions League defence into difficult waters. Contrasting Outcomes from Previous Campaign Last season, a inspiring fightback from a goal behind to a narrow win over Bayern in their final group game made up for their opening 5-2 loss to the German opponents and kickstarted their phenomenal run to the final. It marked a turning point in their season, demonstrating a mental toughness that propelled them to a second Champions League title. Their breakdown here demonstrated they are still searching for the fighting spirit that ensured success in May. Travelling Supporters in Munich More than 400 Arsenal fans had made the trip to Munich, many gathering at the Hofbräuhaus before the game for their pre-match meet-up. They were shoved into a section of the upper level at the Allianz Arena, but still created an atmosphere, competing with the impressive home crowd of over 15,000 that brought the noise in the lower tier. Building on Recent Form 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 league leaders, with questionable refereeing decisions bearing the brunt of those disappointments. The aim, though, was to channel the momentum of that impressive second-half display to Germany with them. Arsenal had started slowly against Chelsea. In Munich they stuck to the plan and there was no repeat of that slow start. Strong Start for Visitors They opened on the front foot. Beth Mead was especially lively and created difficulties for the Bayern defender Franziska Kett and the midfielder Momoko Tanikawa on the right as Arsenal's intense pressure proved effective. It was the forward's attempt that ensured Arsenal took the lead in the fifth minute, the England forward's shot unusually parried by the Bayern goalkeeper, Maria Luisa Grohs. The midfielder was there to head it back over the goalkeeper and in. Doubling the Advantage Arsenal's second goal arrived in the 23rd minute. Bayern's insistence on building from defense had been risky and was exploited. Mead intercepted the defender's wayward ball and passed to the Swedish striker, who directed it towards Mariona Caldentey on the edge of the box. The mercurial midfielder took a touch to create space from the defender before driving past Grohs. After Break Collapse The energy dropped a little in the final period. The Bayern coach made substitutions to try to get his team back into the game: the former Chelsea forward Pernille Harder, whose three goals in October 2024 turned the match from 2-2 to 5-2, entered and Arianna Caruso and Turkish talent arrived soon after. The last of these would cause problems first, sprinting forward and collecting from German winger before guiding the ball past Van Domselaar. Total Turnaround It was Bayern in the driving seat after the deficit was reduced, the home team sensing they could take something from the game. The substitute produced, floating a cross in from the penalty box to equalize. They did not just want to take something, though: they wanted everything, and six minutes later they had the advantage, Icelandic defender scoring at the near post from the winger's delivery. This time it was a sluggish end that disappointed Arsenal and, with a single victory from three Champions League games, they have a big job ahead.