Arsenal produced an outstanding performance for their traveling fans in Italy, thrashing a deflated Juventus 4-0 in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Wednesday night.
It was a dominant display from the Gunners as goals from Frida Maanum, Stina Blackstenius, Mariona Caldentey and Caitlin Foord helped them to a deserved victory.
Victory saw arsenal consolidate second place in their group ahead of a home meeting with the Italians next week at the Emirates Stadium.
How the game developed
It was Juventus who looked bright from the start as Amalie Vangsgaard sent Leah Williamson and Steph Catley spinning for a clever through ball to Sofia Cantore. The Juventus number 9 looked likely to open the scoring but was denied by Gunners goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.
Katie McCabe provided Arsenal’s first chance of the night as she tested their chances with an opportunistic free-kick on the edge of the box. The shot was well struck, but Pauline Peyraud-Magnin deflected over the crossbar into the home team’s goal.
The goalkeeper was on the ground in need of treatment minutes later as a late clash between her and teammate Viola Calligaris saw her seek help from physios. Despite appearing to be in pain, the Juventus goalkeeper was deemed fit to continue.
Emily Fox started the game brightly, flowing up and down Arsenal’s right. He had his chances tested in the 23rd minute as his long-range effort was narrowly denied by Peyraud-Magnin, who tipped his shot over the bar. The referee awarded a controversial goal kick despite the fact that the shot required a clear intervention from the Juventus goalkeeper.
The Gunners broke the deadlock in the 38th minute as some stellar linking allowed Frida Maanum to find the back of the net. Williamson picked out Maanum, who played it to Kim Little, before the Arsenal captain found Caitlin Foord on the edge of the box. Foord’s one-touch pass broke through the Juventus defence, before Maanum finished the job to send Arsenal 1-0 up before half-time.
It was Arsenal who dominated the momentum in the first half, and the early stages of the second term were no different. Juventus were nervous in the few moments they had possession, unable to create any meaningful chances as the clock ticked down.
The Gunners went close to a second when Foord cut out Fox’s cross on the edge of the box. The defense came inches from doubling Arsenal’s lead before his effort from distance was denied by the underside of the crossbar.
The hosts finally alarmed the Gunners in the 64th minute when Vangsgaard dived into the 18-yard box. The Juventus striker did little to alarm van Domselaar, who collected the goal well.
Arsenal reaped the rewards of their dominance in the 74th minute when Stina Blackstenius found himself in acres of space down the left. Poor defending from Emma Kullberg meant Blackstenius had all the time in the world, getting her strike to give Arsenal a second.
The Gunners put the game to bed in the 80th minute when Lina Hurtig cut in a cross from the bye-line into the penalty area. The poor defense of the locals left Mariona Caldentey unmarked inside the area, before launching a shot into the top of the net.
Foord capped an excellent evening for the Gunners in Italy when a clever cut-back from Kyra Cooney-Cross was met by her Australian counterpart who slotted home Arsenal’s fourth of the night.
GK: Daphne van Domselaar – 8/10 – An impressive display from the Dutch goalkeeper as her brilliant distribution helped create chances for the Gunners. He made a crucial save against Cantore in the opening minutes to preserve the clean sheet.
RB: Emily Fox – 9/10 – The Gunners right-back continues to perform at the highest level and tonight was no exception. Fox was smart to recognize when his defensive assets weren’t needed, pushing up and helping the offense well.
CB: Leah Williamson – 8/10 – Catalyzing the move that put Arsenal ahead, Williamson regained his composure. The Arsenal centre-back found pockets of space that no one else could locate, distributing with composure. Not much to do defensively, but was brilliant when needed.
CB: Steph Catley – 8/10 – Arsenal are yet to lose a game in which Catley has started at centre-back. Tonight was no different as she and Williamson looked composed and calm alongside each other. It will be a tough task for both Lotte Wubben-Moy and Laia Codina if they are to overtake Catley in the starting line-up.
LB: Katie McCabe – 7/10 – A solid display despite not having to make many defensive interventions in the early part. Some lapses in concentration allowed Juventus to have space on their side in the closing stages, but nothing happened. The set piece deliveries were quality on the night.
CM: Leah Walt – 7/10 – A composite sample of the defensive midfielder. Wasn’t really challenged in the first half but remained composed when the pressure started to mount.
CM: Kim Little (c) – 7/10 – He played a more defensive role on occasion and Russo often dropped into midfield. He made no real mistakes in the center of the park as Arsenal controlled most of the tempo.
CM: Frida Maanum – 8/10 – Getting the first goal to put the Gunners ahead, there is no stopping Maanum for now. A good performance from the Arsenal midfielder again.
RW: Beth Mead – 6/10 – It’s not one of his loudest performances, but he didn’t make any real mistakes either.
ST: Alessia Russo – 8/10 – Another show of confidence from Russo as he continues to find his form. He was everywhere tonight, linking play between midfield and forwards with composure and strength.
LW: Caitlin Food – 8/10 – After being awarded Arsenal’s Player of the Month for October, Foord continued her good form at Biella. The Australian forward catalyzed meaningful attacks for the Gunners, and her smart assist set up Maanum’s goal. A late goal ended another fine performance from the winger.
Substitutes
SUB: Stina Blackstenius (60′ for Maanum) – 8/10 – He made an immediate impact off the bench, scoring Arsenal’s second goal of the night. Blackstenius’ running forward style exposed Juventus’ disorganized defense well.
SUB: Mariona Caldentey (60′ for Mead) – 8/10 – Another super substitution on the occasion when his goal put the game to bed in Biella. Provides Arsenal with flair and finesse when used at 10.
SUB: Lina Hurtig (76′ by Russo) – 6/10 – Brilliant moments despite not having played much. His cross marked Arsenal’s third goal after some clever individual timing.
SUB: Laia Codina (84′ for Fox) – N/A
SUB: Kyra Cooney-Cross (84′ for Walti) – N/A
Subs not used: Lotte Wubben-Moy, Kathrine Kuhl, Katie Reid, Rosa Kafaji, Manuela Zinsberger, Laura Wienroither, Naomi Williams
manager
Renee Slegers – 9/10 – All has been happy in the Gunners’ camp since Slegers took over, adding another win to her name as interim head coach. The Arsenal manager took advantage of Juventus’ strengths, nullifying any threat the Italian side might have posed on the occasion. Slegers looks to have Arsenal on the mend as the team produced another confident display in Italy.
