Arsenal edge thriller against Bayern Munich to top group

Mariona Caldentey’s 86th-minute penalty sent Arsenal top of Group C in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with a 3-2 win over Bayern Munich at Meadow Park.

Arsenal took the lead inside seven minutes when Bayern captain Glodis Viggosdottir got an unfortunate head on Caitlin Foord’s corner to divert the ball into her own net.

The German side were back on level terms before half-time as Magdalena Eriksson was able to drill a loose ball into the net from close range.

The Gunners nearly took the lead again before half-time through another own goal when Caitlin Foord’s low cross into the box hit Sarah Zadrazil, sending the ball looping over the goalkeeper and bouncing off the crossbar.

Eriksson grabbed her second of the game to put Bayern ahead as she managed to get a touch of Giulia Gwinn’s shot from the outside of the box.

But almost immediately after, Katie McCabe’s corner found Alessio Russo at the back post, who scored her fifth goal of the competition.

The game looked to be ending in a draw before Mariona Caldentey shot hit the arm of Tuva Hansen, seeing the referee award Arsenal a penalty in the closing stages, with Caldentey sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.

The win means Arsenal top Group C having already booked a place in the quarter-finals.

Next up, Arsenal have a three week break over the festive period before their FA Cup Fourth round clash against Bristol City, which is followed by the visit of Crystal Palace in the Women’s Super League.

As for Bayern, they have an extended break until Saturday, February 1 where you travel to face RB Leipzig in the Frauen-Bundesliga.

It would be fair to say that Arsenal looked a completely different side to when they last played Bayern Munich at FC Bayern Campus.

Compared to an Arsenal side which fell apart having taken the lead early on, Arsenal proved resilient against Bayern’s attacks but came out in the second half with a revived fight after being somewhat passive after their early goal.

They continued fighting for the winner, even as it looked like Bayern had settled for a 2-2 draw and they extended their winning streak in all competitions to eight games.

Renee Slegers has truly earned herself a seat at the negotiation table, should she want the top job at the north London club.

The Arsenal goalkeeper was crucial to Arsenal’s victory as she stayed alert to danger and pulled out the stops to keep Bayern limited. Despite conceding two goals, there was little she could do about either goal.

Arsenal XI: Van Domselaar 8, Fox 7, Williamson 7, Catley 7, Mariona 8, Little 7, McCabe 7, Foord 7, Russo 7, Blackstenius 7, Cooney-Cross 7 Subs: Mead 6, Maanum 6, Hurtig 6, Wubben-Moy 6, Kafaji 6

Bayern XI: Mahmutovic 5, Gwinn 7, Viggosdottir 6, Eriksson 8, Hansen 6, Zadrazil 7, Stanway 6, Buhl 7, Damnjanovic 6, Dallmann 6, Harder 5 Subs: Lohmann 6, Schuller 6, Sembrant 6, Zawistowska 6

7′ GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 BAYERN MUNICH (VIGGOSDOTTIR OG 7′) It’s a mess of a goal for Bayern but Arsenal have taken the lead. Caitlin Foord and Glodis Viggosdottir get into a tussle in the box and it looks like the Bayern defender ends up getting a head on the ball and converts into her own net. Mahmutovic could have done better in keeping it out but Arsenal won’t care one bit.

39′ GOAL! ARSENAL 1-1 BAYERN MUNICH (ERIKSSON 39′) Bayern are level and it’s a deserved equaliser by the visitors. They’ve looked the most likely to score before half-time and it’s Magdalena Eriksson with the goal. A corner is launched into the box and goes to the far post, it’s headed in front of goal and Eriksson is able to get a touch on it to find the back of the net.

43′ HOW DIDN’T THAT GO IN? We nearly had our second Bayern own goal of the game. It’s a sigh of relief by Bayern as Caitlin Foord’s low cross into the box hits Zadrazil and loops over the goalkeeper and somehow manages to bounce off the crossbar.

58′ GOAL! ARSENAL 1-2 BAYERN (ERIKSSON 58′) Bayern have turned this game around. Bayern’s corner is played short and finds Gwinn, who shoots from outside of the box and Magdalena Eriksson is able to get a poke on it and give Bayern the lead.

59′ GOAL! ARSENAL 2-2 BAYERN MUNICH (RUSSO 59′) That didn’t last long. A McCabe corner is sent into the far post, Mahmutovic is unable to get a touch and it finds Alessia Russo, who makes no mistake finding the net.

85′ PENALTY TO ARSENAL! This is a huge moment. Mariona Caldentey shot hits the arm of Tuva Hansen. The Arsenal player appeals to the referee and it’s given. There’s no VAR.

86′ GOAL! ARSENAL 3-2 BAYERN MUNICH (CALDENTEY 86′) It’s Mariona Caldentey who steps up. It’s a slow run up but she sends the goalkeeper the wrong way and puts Arsenal ahead with four minutes to go of normal time.