🔗 Share this article Arsenal Surrender 2-0 Advantage in Champions League Defeat to German Giants Arsenal required a impressive display and favorable result against a continental giant, but Renée Slegers’s side relinquished their two-goal lead and all three points to Bayern Munich with little resistance, plunging their Champions League defence into difficult waters. Contrasting Outcomes from Last Season Last season, a inspiring fightback from 2-1 down to a 3-2 victory over Bayern in their final group game avenged their opening 5-2 loss to the German opponents and kickstarted their phenomenal run to the championship match. It represented a turning point in their season, demonstrating a resilience that propelled them to a European triumph. Their breakdown here showed they are yet to recapture the spirit that led to victory in May. Travelling Supporters in Munich More than 400 Arsenal fans had made the trip to Munich, many gathering at the city's famous beer hall before the game for their traditional gathering. They were shoved into a section 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 lower tier. Learning from Previous Performance The Arsenal goalkeeper had stated her team had "showed everything we had" in their hard-fought tie with Chelsea on Saturday. They were "devastated" by the result against the league leaders, with controversial officiating bearing the brunt of those frustrations. 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 executed their strategy and there was no repetition of that slow start. Fast Beginning for Visitors They started aggressively. The England forward was particularly energetic and created difficulties for the Bayern defender their left-back and the midfielder Japanese international on the right as Arsenal's high and aggressive pressing proved effective. It was Mead's effort that ensured Arsenal took the lead in the fifth minute, the England forward's shot unusually parried by the Bayern goalkeeper, the German shot-stopper. Fox was there to nod the ball back over the keeper and in. Doubling the Advantage Arsenal's next score arrived midway through the half. Bayern's insistence on building from defense had been dangerous and was exploited. Mead intercepted Stine Ballisager's stray pass 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 alleviate pressure from Tanikawa before lashing past Grohs. After Break Collapse The energy lessened a little in the final period. The Bayern coach made substitutions to try to bring his side into the game: the former Chelsea forward Danish international, whose three goals in October 2024 took the game from 2-2 to 5-2, entered and Arianna Caruso and Alara Sehitler followed shortly. The final substitute would make Arsenal sweat first, sprinting forward and receiving from German winger before directing the ball past the Arsenal keeper. Total Comeback It was Bayern in the driving seat after the deficit was reduced, the hosts believing they could take something from the game. The substitute produced, floating a looping ball in from the penalty box to level. They did not just want to take something, though: they wanted everything, and shortly after they had the lead, Glodis Viggosdottir turning in at the near post from the winger's delivery. This time it was a sluggish end that let down Arsenal and, with one win from their European matches, they have a big job ahead.