WHAT HAPPENED
We moved one step closer to the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage on Tuesday night with a 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague.
It was the perfect way to mark our return to Meadow Park, as we welcomed fans back to the stands for the first time since December 2020 - and saw three of our summer signings make their full home debuts.
Jonas Eidevall opted for three changes from our victory over PSV last week, but we maintained that same attacking intensity, opening the scoring with less than two minutes on the clock.
Steph Catley made an early surging run down the left flank and crossed for Nikita Parris, who was waiting at the back post to head home her first Arsenal goal on English soil.
Kim Little then went on to double our advantage, coolly firing into the bottom corner from 12 yards after Caitlin Foord was fouled inside the penalty area.
With our Barclays FA Women’s Super League opener against Chelsea coming up on Sunday, Jonas Eidevall took full advantage with five substitutes in the second half - and two of which combined wonderfully for our third of the evening.
Beth Mead launched a searching pass over the top of the Slavia defence, and Vivianne Miedema plucked the ball out of the air with a single touch, before racing through on goal and chipping the keeper with a sumptuous effort.
The Netherlands international is now just four goals away from joining the exclusive 100 club.
WHAT IT MEANS
We have a three-goal advantage heading into the second leg. That game will be played at the Eden Stadium on Thursday, September 9 with kick-off at 5.30pm (UK time).
WHAT’S NEXT
We must now prepare for our Barclays FA Women’s Super League opener against Chelsea on Sunday.
The game will be played at Emirates Stadium with kick-off at 12.30pm (UK time) - and you can purchase your tickets by clicking here!
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