Dec 19,2024
Mariona Caldentey ensured Arsenal will enter the Champions League quarter-finals as Group C winners after dramatically firing in a late penalty in their 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich.
The Gunners took a seventh-minute lead under a downpour at Meadow Park through Glodis Perla Viggosdottir's own goal before Magdalena Eriksson drew the sides square before the break.
The former Chelsea captain netted another in the second half, but the in-form Alessia Russo drew the sides back level a minute later.
Caldentey stepped up to the spot after Bayern were penalised for handball and coolly converted in the 86th minute to extend Arsenal's unbeaten run to 11 matches across all competitions.
Gunners captain Kim Little, who came on as a substitute in Sunday's victory over Liverpool, made her first start since November 21 in one of two changes for interim boss Renee Slegers, whose future after this contest remains uncertain.
The first real attempt came from Linda Dallmann, who called Daphne van Domselaar into action with a low effort from the right shortly after kick-off.
Arsenal found themselves in front after Caitlin Foord rose highest to meet Kyra Cooney-Cross' corner.
The ball took a touch off Viggosdottir before crossing over past hapless Bayern goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic.
Russo and Bayern full-back Giulia Gwinn were off target for their respective sides before Van Domselaar was called upon again to punch away Klara Buhl's cross at her near post. The hosts somehow survived after the ball fell loose from a scramble in their six-yard box.
Arsenal managed to clear, but their shot-stopper was soon back in action again, sticking out a leg to deny former Chelsea forward Pernille Harder.
The German side were level when England midfielder Georgia Stanway nodded the ball down for Eriksson to lash home in the 39th minute.
Bayern almost gifted the hosts another own goal before the break when Foord's cross caught the foot of midfelder Sarah Zadrazil, with the deflection clipping the crossbar before bouncing on the roof of the net.
Stina Blackstenius then rounded Mahmutovic, but was unable to get a shot away before losing possession.
That looked costly as Eriksson bagged her brace in the 58th minute. It came again from a corner as the Sweden international poked home Gwinn's set-piece with the finishing touch.
Arsenal were level just a minute later as Russo took advantage when Mahmutovic came off her line in an attempt to punch the ball away at a corner.
Bayern would have gone through as group winners with a draw, but Arsenal had the chance to leapfrog their opponents when Tuva Hansen handled an effort from Caldentey with four minutes remaining.
The Spain international, who missed a penalty against Liverpool, made no mistake, sending Mahmutovic the wrong way to seal victory.
