Arsenal put one foot in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League by thrashing OH Leuven 4-0 in Belgium in the first leg of their knockout play-off.
A thoroughly professional performance with a pair of goals in either half saw the Gunners to victory, and next week’s second leg looks a foregone conclusion barring one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s history.
Leuven were looking for revenge from a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the league phase of the tournament, and began by frustrating their visitors who were unable to break down their compact defensive shape.
But once Frida Maanum’s stooping header unlocked that home backline defence midway through the first period, the Gunners presented a constant threat with every attack and deservedly doubled their lead as Olivia Smith swept home Chloe Kelly’s low cross for her fourth goal in as many games.
Leuven were occasionally a threat on the break but managed only a solitary shot before half-time, and struggled further against an Arsenal side who returned from the interval with renewed vigour.
Maanum’s second, seven minutes into the second period, ended the game as a contest when she turned home Caitlin Foord’s cut-back from close range before substitute Alessia Russo surely did the same for the tie with another simple finish when teed up by Smilla Holmberg.
Slegers: Players executed everything I asked
Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers:
“The players executed everything exactly as I asked, and that is very rewarding as a coach. I believe in this team and in these players.
“We expected Leuven to adopt a more defensive approach and we prepared accordingly. Everyone understood their roles.
“Leuven performed well, playing more directly in comparison to the December game. They have strong dribblers and physical players, but it is still the same team we played last time and we knew what to expect.”
