It was not a spectacular first-half display from Arsenal, but did not need to be as Bayern looked completely out of sorts.
The two goals put them firmly on top and they could have had more as the German side were sloppy in possession and struggled with the high press from the opposition, rarely venturing out of their own half.
It was a cheap pass that led to Caldentey’s strike and the visitors had further opportunities to take advantage with Blackstenius hitting the crossbar before poking an effort wide.
But Bayern’s changes affected the outcome and ensured they stretched their unbeaten home run in the competition’s league phase/group stage games to 14.
Sehitler’s goal boosted their confidence as they began to cause Arsenal problems, especially through Buehl on the left side, and the defending champions completely relinquished control.
While Bayern’s substitutions paid off, Renee Slegers failed to have the desired impact with hers – and seemed to further disrupt the Gunners’ flow even more as they were undone defensively.
The rapid downturn in form will worry Slegers, whose side has struggled to find consistency and gain momentum in a patchy season.
“It’s not good enough. We don’t want to concede three goals in one half in the Champions League,” she said.
“It’s everything [missing]. It’s keeping the ball, making better decisions on the ball in their half to keep the ball there for longer, because it was very transitional.
“I think we lacked a bit of physicality in those moments, so I think the game was played in their strengths and not in our strengths in the second half.”
Defeat has left them facing an uphill battle to qualify in one of the top four automatic spots.
They will need wins against Real Madrid, Twente and Oud-Heverlee Leuven if they are to revive their hopes of progress.
In the Women’s Super League, they are six points off the pace in the title race, sitting fourth behind Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United.
If they are to qualify again for the Champions League, a tournament which brought them joy last term, they will need to improve performances and results.
