Arsenal fought from behind to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds top of their group.
The Gunners went into this game knowing that anything less than a win would prevent them from finishing top and potentially on the receiving end of a tougher draw in the quarterfinals.
And a familiar foe in former Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson looked set to rain on Arsenal’s parade before Alessia Russo and a penalty from Mariona Caldentey extended interim manager Renee Slegers’ unbeaten run to 12 games.
This fixture was controversially relocated from the Emirates – Arsenal women’s permanent home since the beginning of this season – to Borehamwood’s ground, Meadow Park due to a scheduling clash with the men’s Carabao Cup tie with Crystal Palace.
The practicality of Meadow Park aside, there was something to be said about the team returning to its former stomping ground where the boisterous crowd practically spills on to the pitch.
Arsenal were able to capitalise on the energy emanating from their fans in the early stages of the game, although more through fortune than intent.
Arsenal fought from behind to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds top of their group
A familiar foe in former Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson looked set to rain on Arsenal’s parade
The Gunners young Australian international, Kyra Cooney-Cross’ in-swinging corner was met by Bayern’s Glodis Vigosdottir, who headed it at her keeper and the ball fumbled its way into the back of the net.
Bayern responded with their own set-piece leveller half-an-hour later, with former Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson – who won five WSL titles, four FA Cups and three League Cups with the Blues – pouncing on a poor clearance from the home team after a corner.
It was through Eriksson again that the visitors extended their lead after the break, as she was picked out on the edge of the box from a corner, driving it past Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne von Domselaar.
But an in-form and brimming with confidence Alessia Russo managed to find the equaliser shortly after, the England international smashing Katie McCabe’s corner into the Bayern net.
And a Bayern handball in the penalty area four minutes before full-time left the referee with no decision but to point to the spot, and Mariona Caldentey coolly converted.
Tonight’s result means all three English teams – Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea – have now qualified for the knock-out rounds.
They will find out who they will face in the quarterfinals on February 7, with the fixtures to be played in March.
Sonioa Bompastor’s side last night confirmed their top-spot position, while Manchester City 3-0 defeat to Barcelona tonight means they enter the pot as runners-up in their group, behind their Catalan opponents.
An in-form and brimming with confidence Alessia Russo managed to find the equaliser
Mariona Caldentey coolly converted a vital penalty with just four minutes remaining
The Champions League final is to be held in Lisbon on May 24.
RATINGS
Arsenal (4-3-3): Van Domselaar 7; Fox 7, Williamson 7.5, Catley 7, McCabe 7.5; Little 7 (Mead 60, 7), Russo 8.5 (Wubben-Moy 90), Cooney-Cross 8 (Kafaji 90); Foord 8 (Hurtig 79), Blackstenius 7 (Maanum 60, 7), Caldentey 7.
Scorers: Viggosdóttir 7 (og), Russo 59.
Booked: Foord 74, McCabe 90+4
Manager: Renee Slegers 7
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Mahmutovic 5; Gwinn 7, Viggosdottir 5, Eriksson 8, Hansen 7; Zadrazil 7, Stanway 7.5; Buhl 7 (Sembrant 82), Damnjanovic 7 (Schuller 77, 5), Dallman 7.5 (Lohmann 70, 5); Harder 7.5 (Zawistowska 82).
Scorers: Eriksson 39, 58.
Booked: Stanway 67.
Manager: Alexander Straus 7.
Referee: Tess Olofsson 6.
