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The London side needed a strong display and favorable outcome against a European powerhouse, but the team surrendered their 2-0 advantage and all three points to Bayern Munich far too easily, plunging their Champions League defence into difficult waters.

Different Outcomes from Previous Campaign

Last season, a inspiring fightback from 2-1 down to a narrow win over Bayern in their last group stage match made up for their heavy defeat to the German opponents and ignited their remarkable journey to the championship match. It represented a turning point in their season, showing a resilience that carried them to a European triumph. Their breakdown here demonstrated they are yet to recapture the fighting spirit that ensured success in May.

Fan Support in Munich

Over four hundred Arsenal fans had traveled to Munich, many gathering at the Hofbräuhaus before the game for their traditional gathering. They were placed in a corner of the middle tier at the Allianz Arena, but still made their voices heard, competing with the vocal local supporters of over 15,000 that made their presence felt in the stands below.

Building on Previous Performance

The Arsenal goalkeeper had said her team had "given their all" in their 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday. They were "deeply disappointed" by the outcome against the WSL champions, with questionable refereeing decisions 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 started slowly against Chelsea. In Munich they stuck to the plan and there was no repetition of that sluggish beginning.

Strong Start for Visitors

They opened on the front foot. The England forward was particularly energetic and created difficulties for the Bayern full-back 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 gave Arsenal the advantage in the early stages, the striker's effort strangely pushed away by the Bayern goalkeeper, the German shot-stopper. Fox was there to head it back over the goalkeeper and in.

Extending the Lead

Arsenal's next score arrived in the 23rd minute. Bayern's insistence on building from defense had been risky and was exploited. The winger intercepted Stine Ballisager's stray pass and laid off to Stina Blackstenius, who poked it towards the Spanish midfielder on the edge of the box. The mercurial midfielder took a control to create space from the defender before driving past the goalkeeper.

After Break Turnaround

The intensity lessened a little in the final period. José Barcala made substitutions to try to get his team back into the game: the ex-London striker Pernille Harder, whose three goals in October 2024 turned the match from 2-2 to 5-2, came on and Arianna Caruso and Alara Sehitler arrived soon after. The last of these would cause problems first, sprinting forward and receiving from Klara Bühl before directing the ball past Van Domselaar.

Total Turnaround

It was Bayern in the driving seat after the gap narrowed, the hosts 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 everything, and six minutes later they had the lead, Glodis Viggosdottir scoring at the near post from Bühl's cross. This time it was a poor finish that let down Arsenal and, with a single victory from their European matches, they have a major challenge ahead.