Arsenal put on an outstanding performance for their travelling fans in Italy, thrashing a deflated Juventus 4-0 in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Tuesday night.
It was a dominant display from the Gunners, as goals from Frida Maanum, Stina Blackstenius, Mariona Caldentey and Caitlin Foord helped clinch them a well-deserved win.
The victory saw Arsenal solidify their second-place spot in their group ahead of a home meeting with the Italians next week at the Emirates Stadium.
How the game unfolded
It was Juventus who looked bright early on, as Amalie Vangsgaard sent Leah Williamson and Steph Catley spinning to slot in a clever ball through to Sofia Cantore. The Juventus number 9 looked likely to open the scoring, but was denied by Gunners goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.
Katie McCabe delivered Arsenal’s first chance of the evening, as she tested her chances from an opportunistic free-kick on the edge of the area. The strike was hit well, but was tipped over the crossbar by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin in goal for the home side.
The goalkeeper was down needing treatment just minutes later, as a late collision between her and teammate Viola Calligaris had her seeking help from the physios. Despite appearing to be in pain, the Juventus keeper was deemed fit to continue.
Emily Fox started the game brightly, streaming up and down the Arsenal right. She tested her chances in the 23rd minute, as her long-range effort was narrowly denied by Peyraud-Magnin who tipped the strike over the bar. The referee controversially awarded a goal kick despite the shot needing clear intervention from the Juventus keeper.
The Gunners broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, as a stellar team link-up allowed Maanum to find the back of the net. Williamson picked out Maanum, who touched it to Kim Little, before the Arsenal captain located Foord on the edge of the area. Her one-touch pass broke down the Juventus defence, before Maanum finished the job to send Arsenal 1-0 up before half time.
It was Arsenal who dominated the momentum of the first half, and the early stages of the second term were no different. Juventus looked nervous in the few moments that they were in possession, failing to create any meaningful chances as the clock ticked down.
The Gunners came close to a second, as Foord cut her cross back to Fox on the edge of the area. The defender was just inches away from doubling Arsenal’s advantage before her effort from range was denied by the underside of the crossbar.
The hosts…
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