After a disappointing first leg, losing 1-0 to BK Hacken, Arsenal returned home to a rainy Meadow Park on Thursday evening, overturning their deficit to secure qualification in the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stages.
The Gunners netted four on the night, with goals from Lia Walti, Mariona Caldentey, Beth Mead and Frida Maanum.
Arsenal had to defend early on as Hacken pushed forward, but the Gunners cleared the danger and began to build momentum through some good play from summer signing Caldentey. The first attempt on goal came from Caldentey, whose strike was comfortably claimed by Hacken goalkeeper Jennifer Falk.
Beth Mead had a great chance in front of goal just after the seventh minute, following a ball from Caldentey, but Falk again managed to collect the ball and prevent the opener. Moments later, Hacken had an opportunity of their own but put the shot wide.
BK Hacken stuck with the tactics that worked for them in the first leg, playing out from the back. Larisey broke forward for Hacken, but she was fouled by Lotte Wubben-Moy, who received a yellow card for the challenge.
Alessia Russo demonstrated her attacking threat with a strike that was saved, but it resulted in a set-piece opportunity for Arsenal. The home side began to build pressure after the 20th minute, looking the more likely team to score.
Arsenal’s breakthrough came in the 23rd minute, when Lia Walti equalised the aggregate score with an excellent strike.
Around the half-hour mark, Beth Mead was taken down, but fortunately, she was able to get up and continue playing.
Arsenal continued to push forward and were rewarded with a second goal in the 40th minute, as Caldentey put them ahead 2-1 on aggregate. The Gunners ended the first half in control, displaying some impressive attacking football.
The second half began strongly for Arsenal, and within three minutes, they extended their aggregate lead to 3-1. Beth Mead found the back of the net after some great work by Katie McCabe, as Hacken failed to clear the danger. By this point, it seemed certain that Arsenal would secure their place in the group stages.
Caldentey worked well with Russo in the final third, but the pass didn’t quite come off as intended, though Arsenal earned a corner from the chance.
Starting XIs
Arsenal: M.Zinsberger, K.McCabe, L.Codina, L.Wubben-Moy, E.Fox, M.Caldentey, L.Walti, K.Little, B.Mead, A.Russo, S.Blackstenius.
BK Hacken: J.Falk, E.Junttila-Nelhage, E.Ostlund, J.Rybrink, H.Wijk, J.Fossdalsa, F.Curmark, H.Kitagawa, A.Anvegard, T.Tindell, C.Larisey.
Featured image courtesy of Abby Rampling.