UWCL: Arsenal progress to group stage with statement win over BK Häcken | OneFootball

Arsenal have secured their spot in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Group Stage after a 4-0 win over BK Häcken. The Gunners had to work hard to beat the Swedish side in a 4-1 aggregate win at Meadow Park, which is exactly what they did.

Arsenal approached this must-win fixture at a 1-0 deficit after their trip to Gothenburg last week. Jonas Eidevall made some changes to his starting lineup following their league tie with Manchester City on Sunday. The head coach opted to start both Stina Blackstenius and Alessia Russo, adopting a 4-4-2 formation. Beth Mead occupied the right wing role, and Lia Wälti replaced Kyra Cooney-Cross in the midfield.

The Damallsvenskan’s BK Häcken set up with every intention of playing attacking football against Arsenal. Mark Lind was determined to send his side through to the next round, but reluctant to sit in a low block against the WSL side.

Boasting four goals and four different goal-scorers, the Gunners reassured supporters that they will not be missing out on Champions League football this time around.

Starting XIs

Arsenal

Zinsberger; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Codina, Caldentey, Mead, Little, McCabe, Wälti, Russo, Blackstenius

BK Häcken

Falk; Östlund, Rybrink, Kitagawa, Curmark, Anvegård, Larisey, Falk, Nelhage, Wijk, Fossdalsá, Tindell

How the first half happened

Arsenal knew they had their work cut out for them, and quickly launched their campaign to level the aggregate scoreline. A powerful hit from Caldentey on the left found only Jennifer Falk in the opening minutes. Russo’s subsequent attempt with the scraps was fruitless.

Meanwhile, BK Häcken would too present a threat in the final third as the Arsenal backline was off to a slightly shaky start. Anna Anvegård’s effort was narrowly wide, much to the relief of the Arsenal fans. The home side continued to push forward, but their visitors provided another warning to their hosts.

A speedy Clarissa Larisey found herself with an opportunity to make a good run for goal on the counterattack, and only a sacrificial yellow card for Arsenal centre-back Lotte Wubben-Moy would stop the striker from working her way to a one-on-one with an in-form Manuela Zinsberger.

Eidevall’s side were determined to attack the box. After several misses, it was Wälti who scored the opener. The midfielder’s other-wordly strike from distance flew into the back of the net, breathing life and hope into a rainy, nervous Meadow Park stadium. The Gunners were level, and desperate to further redeem last season’s Champions League blunder.

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Although BK Häcken looked to utilise their pace, Arsenal hastily took the overall lead. Caldentey scored her debut goal for the club, and an important goal it was. A shot by Mead took at least one deflection, and the new No.8 made the most of her chance to put the remnants away. Despite protests that Blackstenius was in an offside position during the build-up, and the goal stood.

Second half success

BK Häcken emerged from the tunnel after half-time ready to find their way back into the game. Soon came a chance for the Swedish side, but Zinsberger was quick to claim the ball.

However, Arsenal were quick to react. Mead did exceptionally well to control the ball, her sumptuous volley flying far beyond Falk. Finally finding some breathing room, Eidevall’s side looked bound for the group stage as of the 49th minute.

Zinsberger was called into action in the 69th minute, as Lind’s side came worryingly close to pulling one back. A good cutback from Tabitha Tindell brought the guests an opportunity to fight back, but the Austrian was unfazed between the sticks and made the save with her feet.

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Substitute Kyra Cooney-Cross made an instant impact for Arsenal, keeping possession with what looked like ease. The youngster is no stranger to the Damallsvenskan, having previously played for Hammarby. Her excellent run through the midfield sent the ball to her Australian teammate Caitlin Foord on the left, and Foord’s instinctive cutback to Frida Maanum saw the Norwegian confidently fire it home. The build-up play and link between the three substitutes here was sublime.

As the game drew to a close and tensions lessened, Arsenal were not just relieved to have performed as well as they did, but jubilant to have progressed in such a fashion. BK Häcken fought their way to counter-attacking efforts until the end, but last season’s capable quarter-finalists could not do enough to make it through on this occasion.

Into the groups

Arsenal will now gear up to take on the Group Stage of the competition, the draw for which will take place on Friday at 13:00 (CET). Eidevall’s side will play their UEFA Women’s Champions League fixtures at the Emirates Stadium, the club have confirmed.

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