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 Wednesday 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-side. 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 Frida Maanum to find the back of the net. Williamson picked out Maanum, who touched it to Kim Little, before the Arsenal captain located Caitlin Foord on the edge of the area. Foord’s 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 finally alarmed the Gunners in the 64th minute, as Vangsgaard streamed forward into the 18-yard-box. The Juventus forward did little to alarm van Domselaar, who collected the strike well.
Arsenal reaped the rewards of their dominance in the 74th minute, as Stina Blackstenius found herself in acres of space down the left side. Poor defending from Emma Kullberg meant Blackstenius had all the time in the world, slotting home her strike to give Arsenal a second.
The Gunners put the game to bed in the 80th minute, as Lina Hurtig cut back a cross from the bye-line into the danger zone. Poor defending from the hosts left Mariona Caldentey unmarked inside of the area, before she slammed home a shot into the top of the net.
Foord finished off the excellent evening for the Gunners in Italy, as a clever cut-back from Kyra Cooney-Cross was met by her Australian counterpart who hammered home Arsenal’s fourth of the night.
GK: Daphne van Domselaar – 8/10 – An impressive sweeping display from the Dutch goalkeeper as her bright distribution helped to create chances for the Gunners. Made a crucial save against Cantore in the opening minutes to preserve the clean sheet.
RB: Emily Fox – 9/10 – The Gunners right-back continues to perform at the highest level and tonight was no exception. Fox was clever when recognising when her defensive assets weren’t required, pushing up and helping the attack well.
CB: Leah Williamson – 8/10 – Catalysing the play that put Arsenal ahead, Williamson was back to her composed self. The Arsenal centre-back found pockets of space that no one else could locate, distributing with composure. Not much to do defensively, but was bright when required.
CB: Steph Catley – 8/10 – Arsenal are yet to lose a game in which Catley has started in centre-back. Tonight was no different, as herself and Williamson proved composed and calm next to each other. It will be a hard task for both Lotte Wubben-Moy and Laia Codina if they want to overtake Catley in the starting lineup.
LB: Katie McCabe – 7/10 – A solid display despite not having to make many defensive interventions in the opening half. Some concentration lapses allowed Juventus to have space down her side in the closing stages, but nothing transpired. Set piece deliveries were quality on the night.
CM: Lia Walti – 7/10 – A composed showing from the defensive midfielder. Wasn’t really challenged in the opening half but remained composed when the pressure began to mount.
CM: Kim Little (c) – 7/10 – Played a more defensive role on the occasion and Russo often dropped into midfield. Made no real mistakes in the centre of the park as Arsenal controlled most of the tempo.
CM: Frida Maanum – 8/10 – Scoring the opening goal to put the Gunners ahead, there is no stopping Maanum at the moment. A strong performance from the Arsenal midfielder again.
RW: Beth Mead – 6/10 – Not one of her loudest performances, but equally made no real mistakes.
ST: Alessia Russo – 8/10 – Another confident display from Russo as she continues to find her form. She was everywhere tonight, linking up play between the midfield and the forwards with composure and strength.
LW: Caitlin Foord – 8/10 – After being awarded Arsenal’s Player of the Month for October, Foord continued her good form in Biella. The Australian forward catalysed meaningful attacks for the Gunners, and her clever assist set up Maanum’s goal. A late goal topped-off another strong performance from the winger.
Substitutes
SUB: Stina Blackstenius (60′ for Maanum) – 8/10 – Made an immediate impact from the bench, scoring Arsenal’s second goal for the evening. Blackstenius’ running striker style exposed the disorganised Juventus defence well.
SUB: Mariona Caldentey (60′ for Mead) – 8/10 – Another super-sub on the occasion as her goal put the game to bed in Biella. Provides Arsenal with such style and finesse when utilised in the 10.
SUB: Lina Hurtig (76′ for Russo) – 6/10 – Bright moments despite not having played much. Her cross set up Arsenal’s third goal after a clever individual moment.
SUB: Laia Codina (84′ for Fox) – N/A
SUB: Kyra Cooney-Cross (84′ for Walti) – N/A
Unused subs: Lotte Wubben-Moy, Kathrine Kuhl, Katie Reid, Rosa Kafaji, Manuela Zinsberger, Laura Wienroither, Naomi Williams
Manager
Renee Slegers – 9/10 – It’s all been merry in the Gunners camp since Slegers took charge, adding another victory to her name as interim head coach. The Arsenal boss exploited the strengths of Juventus, nullifying any threat that the Italian side could have caused on the occassion. Slegers seems to have Arsenal ticking, as the side put on another confident display in Italy.
