The striker bagged her ninth goal in nine games at club level, with her side to now avoiding Chelsea, Barcelona and Lyon in the UWCL quarter-finals
So much has changed since Bayern Munich defeated Arsenal 5-2 in the Women's Champions League back in mid-October. The Gunners have a new coach since that loss, star striker Alessia Russo has found some unstoppable form and the team as a whole has too, undefeated in all of their last 10 games coming into a match they had to win to pip Bayern to top spot in their Champions League group.
Despite all those improvements, it looked like they would still fall short in that effort – that was until Mariona Caldentey showed the composure of the three-time European champion she is, giving Arsenal a dramatic 3-2 win with a late penalty.
Set pieces were the currency in this rematch, with Kyra Cooney-Cross' corner inadvertently directed into her own net by Glodis Viggosdottir after only seven minutes and Bayern able to respond before the break with one of their own. Magdalena Eriksson, the former Chelsea captain, got the final touch after Georgia Stanway beat Russo to the initial cross at the back post.
Operating as a No.10, the England striker was involved in both set-piece goals in the second half, too, failing to track Eriksson when she scored a second to make it 2-1, then connecting with Katie McCabe's cross at the other end to level things up again.
It would be another dead ball situation that proved pivotal, with Caldentey showing remarkable composure to score from 12 yards with four minutes of the 90 remaining, just three days after she'd missed a spot-kick away at Liverpool. Her cool head earns Arsenal seeded status in the Champions League quarter-finals, in which they will draw either Wolfsburg, Real Madrid or Manchester City in the New Year, avoiding Chelsea, Lyon and Barcelona.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Meadow Park…
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Daphne van Domselaar (7/10):
Perhaps could've taken control of the corner that led to the Bayern equaliser. Made a few big saves to balance that out, though.
Emily Fox (6/10):
A little loose in possession at times in the first half. Improved as the game went on.
Leah Williamson (6/10):
Good on the ball and relatively sound in defence, though Pernille Harder did nip in front of her at one point and force Van Domselaar into a big save.
Steph Catley (7/10):
Regularly in the right position to clear the danger that Bayern caused. Won possession more than any other Arsenal player.
Katie McCabe (6/10):
Wasn't always in position defensively and this allowed Bayern to have some joy down her side. Delivered good set pieces though, including the one that Russo made it 2-2 from.
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Kyra Cooney-Cross (6/10):
Delivered the brilliant corner that led to Arsenal's opener. Not so influential in possession but mopped up a few times defensively.
Kim Little (6/10):
Was perfect in possession in the first half, helping her team to wrestle control at moments in a game that ebbed and flowed.
Alessia Russo (6/10):
Should have done better defensively for both Bayern goals, but made amends to an extent with the goal that made it 2-2.
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Caitlin Foord (7/10):
Was really positive when she got on the ball and caused the chaos around Viggosdottir that led to Arsenal's opener.
Stina Blackstenius (5/10):
Struggled to get involved at all in the hour she was on the pitch and though that was also down to the lack of service she had, she should've scored from the one big chance she did have.
Mariona Caldentey (7/10):
Became more influential when she moved centrally in the second half and showed incredible composure to score the winning penalty late on, just three days after missing from the spot in the league.
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Frida Maanum (6/10):
Brought a threat with her runs from midfield, including one which looked like it would produce a goal, only for her strike to be well blocked.
Beth Mead (5/10):
Couldn't really get into the game, though she did bring lots of energy. Her introduction was important regardless as it moved Caldentey central.
Lina Hurtig (N/A):
Gave Bayern something different to think about defensively in the latter stages.
Rosa Kafaji (N/A):
A late sub in stoppage time.
Lotte Wubben-Moy (N/A):
Another who came on in the final moments to help see the game out.
Renee Slegers (7/10):
After a slightly underwhelming performance at Liverpool on Sunday, Slegers freshened her team up with the introductions of Blackstenius and Little, but the former couldn't get involved and the latter's return moved Caldentey wide, where she also struggled to be effective. When she reversed both of those problems with her subs before the hour, it paid dividends.