Arsenal cruised to a 4-0 win over BK Hacken at Meadow Park to book a group stage place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The Gunners certainly put to rest any doubts about their ability to perform under pressure as, despite starting the game 1-0 down on aggregate after losing the away leg, they put in an impressively confident performance.
We were treated to a long shot from Lia Walti, followed by a goal from Mariona Caldentey to make it 2-0 at the end of the first half. Just a few minutes after the restart Arsenal made it 3-0, thanks to a beautiful low volley from Beth Mead in the penalty area. The score finished 4-0 with Frida Maanum taking the last goal in the 78th minute.
Head coach Jonas Eidevall made three changes to the team that played Manchester City at the weekend, bringing in Alessia Russo up front with Stina Blackstenius and dropping Mead to the side in place of Caitlin Foord.
How the game developed
You could certainly feel the tension in the air as the game’s first whistle blew under the lights at Meadow Park. As if arsenal He didn’t have a tough enough task on his hands starting 1-0 on aggregate, the pouring rain certainly made things even more complicated.
However, the north Londoners started strong and dominant, with Caldentey making the biggest impression on the left wing. It was clear from the outset that Arsenal weren’t going down without a fight and it wasn’t long until they had something to celebrate. Walti’s power shot hit the back of the net in the 23rd minute, surprising herself and Hacken goalkeeper Jennifer Falk.
The second came soon after with Caldentey finally getting lucky. Hacken stayed on the back foot for the remainder of the half, with a near miss from Russo failing to convert when he had the chance against Falk.
While there were a handful of times when Arsenal’s Emily Fox, Laia Codina and Katie McCabe were all cut short by Hacken’s press, the visitors failed to convert their chances.
As the second half began, Mead made it 3-0 after a few minutes with a low volley into the penalty area. It was from this point on that the Gunners could breathe easy as their place in the Champions League group stage was pretty much in the palm of their hands.
They continued to play some excellent football, with Russo, Blackstenius and Mead working well in tandem. Substitute Maanum sealed the deal in the 78th minute and finished the game with a 4-0 win.
It wasn’t perfect, but the Gunners certainly have a lot to be proud of with their performance, showing that they certainly have what it takes to be genuine contenders in the competition. Champions League this year
GK: Manuela Zinsberger – 8/10 – As always, a sure pair of hands that escaped any rare moment of menace.
RB: Emily Fox – 6/10 – A few sloppy steps here and there, but worked well with Mead on the right.
CB: Lotte Wubben-Moy – 8/10 – Excellent at both ends of the pitch. He defended well and created chances.
CB: Laia Codina – 6/10 – He also lost possession a few times in dangerous spots, but otherwise a solid performance.
LB: Katie McCabe – 7/10 – He was hit a few times by Hacken’s Tabitha Tindell, leaving her on the back foot. Otherwise, fine.
RM: Beth Mead – 9/10 – He rightly earned his place in the team. He got a goal and remained a threat throughout the game.
CM: Kim Little – 8/10 – As always, he was in control in the midfield battle.
CM: Lia Walti – 9/10 – Great to see her in red again. He got an absolute world cup for his troubles.
LM: Mariona Caldentey – 9/10 – Impressed from the start with runs down the wing and eventually got a goal that was thoroughly deserved.
ST: Stina Blackstenius – 8/10 – He worked well in tandem with Russo, creating chances.
ST: Alessia Russo – 7/10 – A solid addition to the lineup, but couldn’t convert some strong chances on goal.
Substitutes
SUB: Caitlin Food (65′ for Foord) – 6/10
SUB: Frida Maanum (76′ by Russo) – 9/10
SUB: Kyra Cooney-Cross (76′ for Walti) -7/10
SUB: Laura Wienroither (90′ for Fox) – N/A
SUB: Rosa Kafaji (90′ for Caldentey) – N/A
Subs not used: Van Domselaar, Williams, Reid, Kuhl, Herbert, Godfrey, Lia
manager
Jonas Eidevall – 8/10 – Arsenal came out fighting from the first whistle despite heavy pressure.
