Arsenal’s blips at the beginning of the season did not matter when they arrived to play Bayern Munich in Germany on Matchday 3, UEFA Women’s Champions League. However, they earned an opportunity for them to change course and start their title defence in earnest. Arsenal was on a 4-game unbeaten run, and their only European loss this season came at the hand of OL Lyonnes. That is nothing to be embarrassed about. By the time Ballon d’Or runner-up Mariona Caldentey put them up 2-0 in the 23rd minute at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, it felt like Arsenal were ready to live up to their stature as one of Europe’s longtime heavyweights.And yet, the Gunners unraveled completely and left Munich with a 3-2 loss to the hosts, notching their second loss in three Women’s Champions League games to start the season.Things were trending in the right direction for the Gunners for the first hour, racking up 13 shots and limiting Bayern to just 0.11 expected goals during that stretch. Caldentey dominated the midfield, while Stina blackstenius had a busy 59-minute shift in front of the goal. She managed three shots as well as the assist for Caldentey’s goal. Arsenal was on track for a major victory that would not only reinvigorate their Champions League campaign, but also their entire season. The Gunners quickly collapsed, though, resting on their laurels against a Bayern side that were willing to test them – and rebooted their own European hopes in the process.
Klara Bühl took over in midfield. Her skill in picking out teammates with a well-placed pass was on full display as she completed 15 of 16 passes in the final 30 minutes and notched a hattrick assist. Bayern’s tactics in the first half finally started to pay off with the help from substitutes such as Pernille harder and Alara sehitler. Bayern’s tendency to launch counterattacks led Buhl to find Sehitler and score their first goal in the second half. Harder had started off by passing a brilliant pass to Buhl. Buhl returned favors less than 15 minutes after defeating Emily Fox on one-on-1, setting Harder’s brilliant finish.
Their game-winner in the 86th minute was the result of persistence, too – Bayern earned a set piece but kept the ball alive after the initial chance fizzed out, with center back Glodís Perla Viggosdottir finishing things off.The 32-year-old Harder showed glimpses of her former self during her substitute appearance, offering a reminder of her elite skillset. Harder’s peak years may be behind her but she demonstrated the value she brings to a team like Bayern – the German side are not amongst the heavyweights of the women’s game but her addition allows Bayern to punch above their weight, especially when coupled with the likes of Germany internationals Buhl and Giulia Gwinn.
Bayern scored a win on a night when Arsenal looked poised for an impressive victory. After a humiliating 7-1 loss to Barcelona in Matchday 1, it was easy to conclude that the usual suspects will once again be at the top of the Women’s Champions League. It’s clear after three matchdays that some teams will and are willing to be spoilers. Lyon, Barcelona and Chelsea may have a grip on three automatic berths to the quarterfinals but there will be a battle for the final one – Bayern, Real Madrid, Wolfsburg and Manchester United make up a lengthy list of contenders for a spot that was technically Arsenal’s to lose.
Gunners must, on the other hand, start all over again. In the past three seasons, they haven’t beaten a top-tier team. This is because their defense was clearly missing Leah Williamson. Wednesday’s defeat, though, may come with a real shock to the system – missing Williamson is explicable but for 60 minutes, they coped just fine without her. Arsenal can survive in Williamson’s absence but they are not consistent. The only way they can defend their title is to do it the hard-way, or risk being pushed out of the discussion as other teams climb the table.
2025-11-13 00:13:14
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