Arsenal snatched a late 1-0 win over an unfortunate Juventus to safe protected passage to the Girls’s Champions League knockout phases, and finish Juve’s probabilities of development.
The consequence additionally ensures that each one three English sides – together with Chelsea and Manchester Metropolis – will function within the quarter-finals of this 12 months’s competitors.
However this was removed from routine for Arsenal. Only a week in the past, the Gunners had been 4-0 victors over their Italian counterparts, vastly superior at each ends of the pitch, however every thing within the reverse fixture felt laboured and strained.
Caitlin Foord was denied from point-blank vary by a chic save from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin – previously of Arsenal – however valuable little else labored, prompting the introduction of Stina Blackstenius, Beth Mead and Lina Hurtig to drive higher openings.
The latter instantly jumped at a pair of headed possibilities to interrupt the impasse, solely to plant each carelessly huge.
Solace arrived within the 89th minute, although, when Blackstenius’ cross escaped Martina Lenzini and landed neatly on the ft of Hurtig – who joined Arsenal from Juve in 2022 – and he or she tapped house.
The winner, very similar to the efficiency, was scrappy however does assure Arsenal are assured of one of many two qualifying spots, progressing from Group C alongside Bayern Munich with two video games to spare.
Slegers happy with influence of subs
Arsenal interim head coach Renee Slegers chatting with UEFA:
“I’m super happy with the result. We’ve had a very intense block of games both in the WSL and Champions League – this was the last one of the block and I’m very happy with the results.”
Talking in regards to the influence of subs, who’ve scored three of Arsenal’s final 5 objectives on this competitors and 4 of their final eight general, Slegers added: “We have a squad with a lot of depth. We know we have starters and we know we have finishers, and it’s been clear to see in a lot of games that the players coming on – the finishers – have decided the game.”
What’s subsequent?
Arsenal won’t be in motion till December 8 as they now depart for the worldwide break. Their first recreation again might be towards Aston Villa on the Emirates Stadium.
