🔗 Share this article The Gunners Surrender 2-0 Advantage in European Defeat to German Giants The London side required a strong display and favorable outcome against a continental giant, but the team relinquished their two-goal lead and the victory to Bayern Munich with little resistance, plunging their European campaign into difficult waters. Contrasting Fortunes from Previous Campaign In the previous campaign, a inspiring fightback from 2-1 down to a narrow win over Bayern in their final group game avenged their heavy defeat to the German opponents and ignited their phenomenal run to the final. It marked a turning point in their season, showing a resilience that carried them to a second Champions League title. Their breakdown here showed they are still searching for the fighting spirit that ensured success 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 shoved into a section of the upper level at the Allianz Arena, but still created an atmosphere, competing with the vocal local supporters of over 15,000 that brought the noise in the stands below. Building on Previous Performance Daphne van Domselaar had said her team had "given their all" in their 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday. They were "devastated" by the result against the WSL champions, with controversial officiating receiving much criticism of those disappointments. The goal, though, was to channel the momentum of that strong performance after halftime to Germany with them. Arsenal had begun poorly against Chelsea. In Munich they stuck to the plan and there was no repetition of that slow start. Fast Beginning for Arsenal They opened on the front foot. Beth Mead was especially lively and caused problems for the Bayern defender their left-back and the midfielder Momoko Tanikawa on the right as Arsenal's intense pressure proved effective. It was Mead's effort that gave Arsenal the advantage in the early stages, the England forward's shot strangely pushed away by the Bayern goalkeeper, the German shot-stopper. The midfielder was there to head it back over the keeper and in. Extending the Lead Arsenal's next score arrived midway through the half. Bayern's determination to play out from the back had been risky and was capitalized on. The winger intercepted Stine Ballisager's stray pass and passed to the Swedish striker, who poked it towards Mariona Caldentey on the edge of the box. The mercurial midfielder took a touch to alleviate pressure from Tanikawa before driving past the goalkeeper. After Break Collapse The energy lessened a little in the final period. José Barcala made substitutions to try to bring his side into the game: the former Chelsea forward Pernille Harder, whose hat-trick in October 2024 turned the match from 2-2 to 5-2, entered and Italian midfielder and Turkish talent followed shortly. The final substitute would make Arsenal sweat first, sprinting forward and receiving from Klara Bühl before guiding the ball past the Arsenal keeper. Total Turnaround It was Bayern in the driving seat after the gap narrowed, the hosts believing they could take something from the game. The substitute delivered, clipping a looping ball in from the penalty box to equalize. They did not just want to take something, though: they wanted everything, and shortly after they had the advantage, Icelandic defender turning in at the front post from Bühl's cross. This time it was a sluggish end that let down Arsenal and, with a single victory from their European matches, they have a major challenge ahead.