Eidevall: Arsenal will do everything to turn Bayern Munich tie around

Lea Schuller’s first-half header saw Bayern home, yet Arsenal will fancy their chances of turning the tie around in next week’s return.

They created a number of opportunities, being denied by goal-line clearances and the woodwork as Bayern ultimately did enough to record a 13th successive victory in all competitions this season.

Arsenal, though, showed more than enough to suggest that a semi-final appearance for the first time since 2013 was not beyond them.

Boss Jonas Eidevall made one change from the 4-0 WSL victory over Reading, with Stina Blackstenius replacing Lotte Wubben-Moy.

And Blackstenius had the game’s first clear-cut chance following outstanding work by Caitlin Foord, but she was unable to get a 10th-minute header on target as Bayern came under early pressure.

Arsenal’s bright start showed no sign of abating and they went close again 10 minutes later with Blackstenius turning provider this time, but Frida Maanum’s effort was blocked by Bayern goalkeeper Maria Luisa Grohs.

Bayern then began to impose themselves on the contest and – after going within a whisker of breaking the deadlock – Schuller came up trumps six minutes before half-time.

Schuller’s header into the top corner of the net was her 14th goal of the season and meant that Arsenal went into the interval a goal down.

Foord received a yellow card early in the second half, but an impressive response saw her take on the Bayern defence and power a shot past Grohs, only to see the ball bounce back off the post.

Eidevall made a change on the hour mark, sending on Netherlands midfielder Victoria Pelova for her Champions League debut as she took over from Laura Wienroither.

Arsenal remained firmly in contention and they went desperately close to an equaliser when Blackstenius and Rafaelle Souza both had chances.

Blackstenius thought she had tied the game, but her header was blocked on the line by Saki Kumagai and Bayern escaped.

Arsenal exerted relentless pressure and Bayern were again forced into last-ditch defending 16 minutes from time as Schuller somehow blocked Leah Williamson’s effort on the line.

Bayern were well and truly on the back foot, although they did go close to doubling their advantage during the closing minutes when Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger saved brilliantly to deny Maximiliane Rall, before their England midfielder Georgia Stanway limped off during added time.

“Our players were really good, we were really brave on the ball and we represented Arsenal in such a good way in the second half,” Eidevall told arsenal.com. 

“We are proud of that even though we are very disappointed with the result. We are going to do everything in our power to turn it around next week.

“Part of me is proud because it was a really good performance, but part of me is disappointed because we need to be more efficient with our chances.

“We need to score a goal! At least two. But Bayern are a very, very good counter-attacking team. A little bit of you feels danger when you attack because you know they can hit you on the counter.

“But you need to be brave on the ball, make good decisions and keep them low down the pitch.”

Arsenal now turn their attention to their Women’s Super League derby against Tottenham at Brisbane Road on Saturday (3pm), before hosting the return with Bayern at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday (8pm).