Statement made: Arsenal women smash Leuven to close in on quarter-finals
Arsenal Women moved to the brink of the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding 4-0 win over O.H Leuven Women.
Renee Slegers’ side travelled to Belgium as clear favourites and delivered a sharp, professional display from start to finish.
Fast start sets the tone
Leuven looked to threaten on the break by sending early balls behind Arsenal’s high line, but clear chances were rare.
Their best moment came in the second half when Alixe Bosteel struck from distance, forcing Daphne van Domselaar to tip the effort over the bar.
By then, Arsenal were already in control.
Frida Maanum opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a clever flicked header into the bottom corner.
Caitlin Foord provided the cross, and Maanum guided her effort beyond the goalkeeper with calm precision.
The visitors doubled their lead in the 37th minute of the game through Olivia Smith.
Fresh from her decisive display against Manchester City, Smith slipped away from her marker and met Chloe Kelly’s low delivery.
She finished first time to cap another sharp attacking move.
Both Maanum and Smith had further chances before half-time but failed to extend the lead. Still, Arsenal entered the interval firmly in charge of the tie.
Maanum shines as Arsenal dominate
Seven minutes after the restart, Maanum struck again to put the result beyond doubt.
Once more it was Foord who supplied the cross, and the midfielder side-footed home with confidence.
The third goal drained any belief Leuven had of mounting a comeback.
Slegers introduced Alessia Russo just after the hour mark to add fresh energy in attack.
Russo made an instant impact.
Smilla Holmberg sent in a dangerous cross that Leuven goalkeeper Lowiese Seynhaeve failed to handle.
Russo reacted quickest and smashed the loose ball into the net to make it four.
Leuven continued to search for a route back into the match but found Arsenal well organised at the back.
Van Domselaar remained alert whenever called upon, ensuring a clean sheet for the visitors.
Late in the match, Smith was shown a yellow card for time wasting and will miss the return leg through suspension.
She was soon replaced by Kim Little, who marked her 400th appearance for the club.
Arsenal now take a commanding aggregate advantage into next week’s second leg in London on 18 February.
The winner of the tie will face Chelsea in the quarter-finals.
The post Statement made: Arsenal women smash Leuven to close in on quarter-finals first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.