Arsenal convincingly noticed off OH Leuven to finish the league stage of the Girls’s Champions League on a constructive be aware.
They may now need to face their most up-to-date opponents within the play-off spherical, nonetheless, which might see them face WSL and London rivals Chelsea within the quarter-finals.
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Objectives from Olivia Smith and Beth Mead, adopted by an personal purpose from defender Saar Janssen noticed the title holders cruise to a win in Belgium to e book their place within the play-offs.
The guests dominated throughout the pitch, with 25 photographs at full-time, 13 of which have been on track. Their hosts, in distinction, didn’t get a single shot off, not to mention one to bother Arsenal’s third alternative keeper Anneke Borbe.
Talking after the match, Mead mentioned: “We all know Leuven are a extremely exhausting workforce to interrupt down so it’s good to get objectives. We might’ve been a bit extra scientific however comfortable to get the three objectives.
“You get quite a lot of touches on the ball and for me individually I like doing that so it was a pleasant recreation to be a part of,” she added. “I used to be proud of my efficiency, comfortable to get the purpose, performed nicely and acquired the win. I do know we’ve got completed fifth in order that has put us in a very good place shifting forwards.”
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Arsenal completed one level behind Bayern Munich in fourth, who after they confronted the Gunners, snatching a 3-2 win. If Renee Slegers’ aspect had managed to keep away from conceding three second-half objectives, they’d have prevented two further video games within the knockout play-offs.
Though they narrowly missed out on the final automated quarter last spot, by ending fifth Arsenal are the highest seed for the knockout video games. Which means that they are going to get a house benefit within the second of the 2 legs, the place they’ve been drawn for a rematch in opposition to Leuven. Ought to Arsenal get the higher of the Belgians for a second time, they are going to meet WSL rivals Chelsea within the quarter finals, who have been drawn on the identical aspect of the bracket.
Manchester United, the opposite workforce in Arsenal’s seeding pair, who completed sixth because of their 1-0 win over Juventus have been drawn in opposition to Atletico Madrid. The primary legs will probably be performed on the eleventh or twelfth February and the second legs performed every week afterward both 18th or nineteenth February, which can see each Arsenal and United at dwelling.
Chelsea, in the meantime, are straight via to the quarter-finals after coming from behind in Germany to take three factors in opposition to VfL Wolfsburg.
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Sonia Bompastor’s aspect turned the primary English workforce to beat the two-time European champions on German soil as they fought again from 1-0 all the way down to take the win.
Wolfsburg began sturdy and deserved their early opener after a poor clearance from Chelsea keeper Livia Peng introduced a gap that Alexandra Popp capitalised on with a half-volley into the again of the online.
The hosts had probabilities to increase their lead however Chelsea managed to frustrate them, with Lucy Bronze even making a purpose line clearance to disclaim Lineth Beerensteyn.
The equaliser got here simply earlier than half time, as Bronze headed in a nook and from there, Chelsea turned the sport round. Within the second half, they continued making use of stress and located their winner from one other header, this time from Sam Kerr.
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The win put them in third place within the league stage desk, which means that they secured automated qualification for the quarter finals. As Bronze recognised after the match, not having to play an additional two video games might have a big effect afterward of their season.
Chelsea have fun their win over Wolfsburg (Picture by Boris Streubel/Getty Pictures)
“You set the work in now within the first half of the season and I feel it saves you just a little bit within the second half,” mentioned the defender, who was awarded participant of the match. “It was undoubtedly a tricky recreation right now, considered one of our hardest within the Champions League. Coming right here to Wolfsburg has by no means been straightforward.
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“Somebody mentioned it’s the first time an English workforce has really received right here. In order that’s a very good document to have lastly cracked. General a extremely powerful recreation. Each groups went actually sturdy till the top and it was fairly pleasing to play in.”
Chelsea have been dominant within the league stage, conceding simply three objectives throughout their six video games. They received’t be again in motion in Europe till the twenty fourth or twenty fifth March for the first-leg of the quarter last, with the second leg coming every week afterward the first or 2nd April.
They may meet the winner of Arsenal vs OH Leuven.