🔗 Share this article Arsenal Surrender Two-Goal Lead in European Defeat to Bayern Munich Arsenal needed a impressive display and favorable outcome against a continental giant, but Renée Slegers’s side surrendered their 2-0 advantage and the victory to Bayern Munich far too easily, casting their European campaign into difficult waters. Contrasting Fortunes from Previous Campaign Last season, a inspiring fightback from a goal behind to a narrow win over Bayern in their last group stage match made up for their opening 5-2 loss to the German opponents and ignited their phenomenal run to the championship match. It marked a turning point in their season, demonstrating a mental toughness that propelled them to a European triumph. Their breakdown here demonstrated they are still searching for the spirit that ensured success in May. Fan Support in Germany Over four hundred Arsenal fans had traveled to Munich, many gathering at the Hofbräuhaus before the game for their pre-match meet-up. They were placed in a corner of the upper level 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 lower tier. Learning from Previous Performance Daphne van Domselaar had said her team had "given their all" in their hard-fought tie with Chelsea on Saturday. They were "devastated" by the result against the WSL champions, with questionable refereeing decisions receiving much criticism of those disappointments. 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 executed their strategy and there was no repeat of that sluggish beginning. Strong Start for Arsenal They started aggressively. The England forward was particularly energetic and caused problems for the Bayern full-back their left-back and the midfielder Momoko Tanikawa on the right as Arsenal's high and aggressive pressing reaped its rewards. It was Mead's effort that ensured Arsenal took the lead in the fifth minute, the England forward's shot strangely pushed away by the Bayern goalkeeper, Maria Luisa Grohs. The midfielder was there to nod the ball back over the keeper and in. Doubling the Lead Arsenal's next score arrived in the 23rd minute. Bayern's insistence on building from defense had been risky and was capitalized on. Mead intercepted the defender's wayward ball and passed to the Swedish striker, who poked it towards the Spanish midfielder on the penalty area. The mercurial midfielder took a touch to alleviate pressure from the defender before lashing past the goalkeeper. After Break Collapse The intensity dropped a little in the final period. The Bayern coach made substitutions to try to bring his side into the game: the ex-London striker Pernille Harder, whose three goals in October 2024 took the game from 2-2 to 5-2, came on and Italian midfielder and Turkish talent followed shortly. The final substitute would cause problems first, flying away on the break and collecting from Klara Bühl before guiding the ball past Van Domselaar. Complete Comeback It was Bayern in the driving seat after the gap narrowed, the home team sensing they could take something from the game. Harder delivered, floating a looping ball in from the edge of the area to level. They did not just want to take something, though: they wanted everything, and six minutes later they had the advantage, Glodis Viggosdottir turning in at the near post from the winger's delivery. This time it was a poor finish that let down Arsenal and, with one win from their European matches, they have a big job ahead.