A Frida Maanum hat-trick helped Arsenal comfortably ensure they progressed to the Champions League quarter finals as group winners with a 9-1 win over Zurich in their final group stage fixture on Wednesday evening.
The Gunners had already sealed their safe passage to the knockout stages last week against Lyon, and knew a victory in Switzerland would be enough to top the group. Arsenal did just that – and then some.
A Frida Mannum hat-trick, braces from Stina Blackstenius brace and Caitlin Foord and goals from Kim Little and Mana Iwabuchi saw the Gunners to an emphatic victory, topping their group ahead of European champions Lyon.
Arsenal tore out of the starting blocks and had the Zurich goal under siege from the off, Rafaelle almost turning home from a set piece before again coming close from a corner, only to be denied by two goal-saving blocks
The Gunners continued to knock on the door, but Zurich goalkeeper Lourdes Romero was on hand to first deny Katie McCabe from distance and then Blackstenius on the follow up from point blank range.
Arsenal deservedly took the lead after 19 minutes – and in spectacular style. Maanum impeccably found the top corner with a free kick from the edge of the area to continue her impressive goal scoring form this season.
Zurich were handed a golden opportunity to level minutes later, but Alayah Pilgrim saw a free header fly over – and it would be a miss that the Swiss champions would go on to rue.
Foord soon added a second, turning home Blackstenius’s cross after being perfectly picked out by the Sweden striker.
Maanum almost netted a near identical goal to her opener, but grazed the bar with another free kick from the left hand side of the area.
She did have her second just after the half hour mark, Foord triggering the lightning counter attack and sliding in the Norwegian international who had burst forward from midfield, and finishing first time.
Maanum turned provider on the stroke of half time to wrap up a devastating first 45 for her and Arsenal, bursting forward and rolling the ball across the face of goal to Blackstenius, who couldn’t miss.
Maanum completed her hat-trick five minutes into the second half, Leah Williamson winning back possession deep in the Zurich half, and Maanum rifling the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Blackstenius attempted to steal Maanum’s thunder four minutes later, sending a stunning, curling strike from range into the top corner to double her tally for the evening.
Zurich…
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