Arsenal Women have secured their place as Group C winners in the UEFA Women’s Champions League after defeating Bayern Munich 3-2 at Meadow Park on December 18, 2024. The match not only demonstrated the team's resilience but also marked a pivotal moment for interim head coach Renée Slegers, who has taken the reins following Jonas Eidevall's departure earlier this season.
The Gunners kicked off the match with intensity, both sides battling to gain control. Arsenal's early aggression paid off just seven minutes in when Katie McCabe’s corner was inadvertently headed home by Bayern’s Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir, putting Arsenal 1-0 up. Despite this promising start, the match continued to be tight, with both teams making significant defensive efforts.
Arsenal’s goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar was quick to respond to Bayern’s attacking threats, especially from set pieces. The Germans leveled the score just before halftime through Magdalena Eriksson, who capitalized on chaos from another corner (the second of many set pieces to feature heavily during the match), heading the ball past Van Domselaar to equalize at 1-1.
After the break, the momentum shifted as Bayern came out strong. They took the lead thanks to Eriksson again, who found the net with another precise finish following Giulia Gwinn’s cross. With the score at 2-1, Arsenal quickly retaliated, as Alessia Russo volleyed home from yet another corner only one minute later, tying the game at 2-2.
The final moments of the match were tense, with both teams trading chances as they pressed for the winning goal. The decisive moment came late, when Mariona Caldentey was awarded a penalty after her shot was deemed to have struck the arm of Bayern's Tuva Hansen. Stepping up to take the spot-kick, Caldentey skillfully sent the ball to the corner of the net, sealing the victory for Arsenal.
Slegers expressed her belief post-match, stating she was proud of her team's determination and ability to come back from behind. "We need to have belief, and we have it, especially after today," she remarked, highlighting how important it is for the team to perform under pressure. The Gunners’ dramatic victory not only earned them top position in their group but also placed them among the favorites as they advance to the knockout stages, reaffirming their status as strong contenders for the tournament.
Players and fans alike celebrated the win, which ended the year for Arsenal on a high note. Leah Williamson pointed out the team’s newfound accountability on the pitch, stating, "We’ve found a way to play together, and everyone's stepping up." The victory invigorated the faithful at Meadow Park, who demonstrated their support for Slegers with chants urging the club to keep her as permanent head coach.
Arsenal will find out who they face next as the draw for the quarter-finals is set to take place on February 7, 2025. The Gunners are expected to face tough competition as they have been seeded as group winners. Despite the physical nature of their last match against Bayern, the team showed tactical prowess and resilience, setting up what could be another thrilling chapter for Arsenal Women.
Looking forward, the win serves not only as motivation for upcoming fixtures but also reflects the positive changes sweeping through the club since Slegers took charge. With this match, Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to 11 games, and they remain confident as they gear up for the future.
