Arsenal Women have confidently booked their place in the seeded knockout playoffs of the Women's Champions League, rounding off the competition's new league phase with a 3-0 victory away at Belgian side OH Leuven. Goals from Olivia Smith, Beth Mead and a Saar Janssen own goal ensured a comfortable evening for the English champions.
Deja Vu for Gunners' European Campaign
The victory, Arsenal's fourth of the campaign, secured a seeded berth in the upcoming playoff round with one game to spare. The scenario bears a striking resemblance to last season's successful European run, where qualification was also secured early, ultimately leading to lifting the trophy in Lisbon.
While an automatic quarter-final place was mathematically possible, it relied on other results going their way. However, the 1,000 travelling Arsenal fans, with 950 making the journey from England, were in buoyant mood, enjoying Leuven's famous Christmas markets before witnessing a record crowd for a Belgian women's club game at Den Dreef.
Patient Gunners Break Down Stubborn Hosts
Manager Renée Slegers' side, boosted by the return of Kim Little to consecutive starts, controlled proceedings from the outset but faced a disciplined Leuven defence. The hosts' goalkeeper, Lowiese Seynhaeve, was in inspired form, making a series of smart saves to deny Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo.
The breakthrough finally came after 18 minutes. Olivia Smith pounced on a rebound after her initial effort was saved, rifling the ball home to give Arsenal a deserved lead. Less than ten minutes later, the in-form Beth Mead made it two, receiving a pass from Russo in the box and curling a low finish expertly into the far corner for her third European goal this season.
Leuven Response and Arsenal's Sealing Goal
The Belgian side showed more ambition after the break, with substitute Kadhiya De Ceuster adding impetus. They enjoyed more possession and created a half-chance from a corner, but Arsenal remained a constant threat on the counter-attack.
Any lingering doubt about the result was extinguished just two minutes after Slegers made a triple substitution. Caitlin Foord, one of the introductions, delivered a dangerous ball into the box that defender Saar Janssen unfortunately turned into her own net. After a lengthy VAR check overturned an initial offside flag, the goal was awarded, sealing a fourth consecutive win for the Gunners.
With their European business successfully concluded for this phase, Arsenal can now focus on their final league game before a welcome winter break, their seeded playoff status providing a significant advantage in the next stage of their Champions League defence.
