We’re back baby! Arsenal return to European football with a convincing 4-0 win over BK Häcken.
It’s never straight forward with Arsenal. After trailing 1-0 going into the second leg against the Swedish side, Arsenal Women had an up hill battle to avoid an upset similar to last season.
In heavy North London rain, the game got underway. BK Häcken looked the sharper of the two sides in the opening minutes. The employed a high press, pressurising us and looking to capitalise on any defensive mistake.
It wasn’t until the 5th minute that Arsenal were able to settle and string some passes together.
Mead had a good chance in the 8th minute finding herself on a one-vs-one situation, similar to last week. Yet again she was unable to convert, heading it straight at the keeper. And it felt that maybe we were in for another night of almosts and torment.
Despite Häcken’a strong start, it was Lia Wälti who broke the deadlock. On her return from injury, the Swiss captain scored a screamer from distance to hand the Gunners a lifeline in this leg.
Shortly before half time, Mariona Caldenty got her name on the score sheet. It was not a pretty goal, taking a deflection past the goalie, but it was enough to finally put us ahead in the tie.
Beth Mead was able to make it 3-0 in the 50th minute. With the fourth goal coming from substitute Frida Maanum in the 78th.
A convincing win in the end that had us questioning why we ever doubted them.
Arsenal will be one of three English teams to compete in the Champions League this season, alongside Manchester City and Chelsea. Celtic became the first Scottish team to qualify for the competition this evening.
5 of last season’s 8 quarter finalists will not be in the group stages. Questions have been raised about the structure of the current league format. With only 16 teams, a lot of European powerhouses miss out.
The draw for the group stage will take place tomorrow, on the 27th September.
Ladies In Red 
Leave a comment