Arsenal 3 Bayern Munich 2

The Arsenal hierarchy will go into the winter break with a conundrum, to stick or twist with caretaker manager Renee Slegers.

Slegers was propelled into the role in part because of Bayern Munich. When Arsenal were handed a 5-2 drubbing in Germany, then-manager Jonas Eidevall only lasted one more match before resigning.

In the reverse fixture however, Arsenal looked a different side, as they battled to a 3-2 win over Bayern Munich at Borehamwood, to secure their place at the top of Group C.

The fans at Meadow Park made their managerial wishes known with a Christmas-themed chant for Slegers, who has now overseen 10 wins from 11 matches to transform Arsenal’s season in both the Women’s Super League and Women’s Champions League.

Leah Williamson believes the players have stepped up in the absence of a permanent manager, saying after the match that after taking everything “back to basics” that “the players are more accountable and you have to step up.”

She added: “It’s like everyone is pulling their weight a bit more and maybe we needed that as well. So you’re seeing a different side, but I think we needed that as well, because we as players are taking more responsibility and she’s just encouraged everyone to be themselves.

“We’ve found a way that fits everybody and then we’ve taken advantage of that.”

When Daphne van Domselaar was forced into a save from the near post in the first minute of the match, there was an indication that the second match could follow the same trajectory as the reverse fixture in Germany. But when Arsenal scored their opener just six minutes later, it signalled the extent to which they have developed since the start of October.

Caitlin Foord sent in a corner that was deflected into the back of her own net by Glodis Viggosdottir, a small stroke of fortune to give the hosts the early advantage in the battle to finish top of Group C.

As the half continued, Arsenal struggled to contain Bayern Munich’s link-up play and prevent them creating chances, while looking threatening at the other end themselves. A goalmouth scramble from a corner hastily cleared in the 35th minute, and Van Domselaar making a low save to deny Pernille Harder from close range three minutes later. Then with the next chance on another second attempt following a poor clearance, Magdalena Eriksson levelled the score.

In the second half, Arsenal were again punished for failing to deal with the initial delivery and a clever move from Bayern was finished again by Eriksson, but responded barely a minute later with Alessia Russo netting an equaliser, which kickstarted the home side’s intensity.

Arsenal’s victory and place at the top of the group was secured just four minutes from time, with Mariona Caldentey winning a penalty and then sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to slot in the winner.

Arsenal have secured a seeded spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League, but Slegers’ future role is still unclear.

When asked to reflect on her time in charge, she has continued to remain coy, saying: “It’s been very intense, it’s a big club with great players,

“There was already such a good foundation but I’ve learned a lot about what this role is in a big club like Arsenal and I’ve enjoyed it, I’ve enjoyed working with the players and the rest of the staff.”

The football was of high quality in north London, a game deserving of the Emirates, where it was originally planned to take place before a Carabao Cup draw pulled out a home fixture for the men’s team and the women’s team had to shift to their other home, after tickets had already been sold.