Mariona Caldentey was the hero for Arsenal as she fired in a late penalty to secure a 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich, ensuring the Gunners top spot in Champions League Group C. The drama unfolded at Meadow Park where Glodis Perla Viggosdottir’s own goal gave Arsenal an early lead, only for Magdalena Eriksson to equalise before half-time.
Eriksson added another after the break, but Alessia Russo quickly levelled the score. Caldentey then coolly converted a penalty in the 86th minute after Bayern were penalised for handball, extending Arsenal's unbeaten run to 11 matches across all competitions.
Captain Kim Little made her first start since November 21, one of two changes made by interim boss Renee Slegers, whose future remains uncertain. The match kicked off with Linda Dallmann testing Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar with a low effort from the right.
Arsenal took the lead when Caitlin Foord met Kyra Cooney-Cross’ corner, with the ball deflecting off Viggosdottir and past Bayern goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic.
Russo and Bayern's full-back Giulia Gwinn both missed their respective shots before Van Domselaar was once again called into action to deflect Klara Buhl’s cross at her near post. The hosts narrowly escaped a goal after a scramble in their six-yard box left the ball loose.
Arsenal managed to clear, but their goalkeeper was soon back in action, denying former Chelsea forward Pernille Harder with a leg save. The German side equalised when England midfielder Georgia Stanway set up Eriksson for a 39th-minute goal.
Bayern nearly conceded another own goal before half-time when Foord’s cross deflected off midfelder Sarah Zadrazil, hitting the crossbar and landing on the net's roof. Stina Blackstenius then lost possession before she could get a shot away after rounding Mahmutovic.
This proved costly as Eriksson scored her second goal in the 58th minute from a corner, poking home Gwinn’s set-piece. Arsenal equalised just a minute later as Russo capitalised on Mahmutovic coming off her line to punch the ball away at a corner.
Bayern would have topped the group with a draw, but Arsenal had the opportunity to overtake them when Tuva Hansen handled an effort from Caldentey with four minutes remaining.
The Spanish international, who had previously missed a penalty against Liverpool, confidently sent Mahmutovic the wrong way to secure the win.