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Women's Champions League - Group C
Arsenal WomenArsenal Women1Juventus FemminileJuventus Femminile0

Arsenal 1-0 Juventus: Gunners strengthen control of Group C with win over Juventus

By Jess AndersonBBC Sport
Stina Blackstenius tackled by Juventus players
Arsenal remain unbeaten in the Champions League this season with three wins and one draw

Arsenal strengthened their control of Champions League Group C as they recorded a tricky victory over Juventus at Emirates Stadium.

Vivianne Miedema scored the only goal, a stunning half-volley from Stina Blackstenius' cross on 16 minutes.

Juventus looked more likely to score in the second half but failed to find the killer blow in a drab encounter.

Arsenal sit top of Group C and face Lyon next week needing only a point to progress.

After an early chance saw Juventus' Barbara Bonansea fire in a shot from 12 yards that Manuela Zinsberger saved with her leg before Lineth Beerensteyn shanked the rebound wide, the Gunners settled into the match.

The hosts, though, lacked ruthlessness in front of goal as Miedema, Blackstenius and Katie McCabe all posed a threat but with the Gunners only able to make one of their 14 shots count.

Blackstenius found the back of the net when Caitlin Foord's pass released her but the Swedish forward's run was timed too early and the goal was chalked off for offside.

But Blackstenius' cross, which evaded Juventus goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, found Miedema unmarked at the back post and she thumped home on the half-volley for her third goal in as many games.

Juventus boss Joe Montemurro, returning to Arsenal for the first time since leaving the London club in 2021, said before the game it would be "special" to play at the Emirates but saw his side struggle to get in the game.

The Italians were more energetic in the second half but failed to create any meaningful chances and will face Zurich next week in a bid to keep their hopes of qualification from a tough group alive.

Had Lyon been stopped by Zurich on Wednesday Arsenal could have progressed to the knockout phase but the eight-time European champions' 4-0 victory means the Gunners will have to wait until they come face-to-face next week at Emirates Stadium.

Miedema thriving after leave of absence

It was certainly no vintage performance from Arsenal as they had chances to add to their lead and, on another night, could have been punished for their failure to be clinical in north London.

But as Arsenal's injury woes continue, with Beth Mead, Kim Little and Lina Hurtig all still sidelined, the return to form of Miedema will provide a welcome relief to boss Jonas Eidevall.

"It's as easy as being mentally ready to play and to train and to enjoy," said Eidevall. "In the last two games here, we've seen some brilliant stuff from her both in attack and defence.

"The weight of her passes and her touches, it's extraordinary how well she's doing things like that.

"If we finished a bit better, we would talk of her having multiple assists in these games as well and not only scoring goals. I'm very happy for her that she is able to show these performances."

Since Manchester United ended Arsenal's 14-game winning run in the WSL in November, she has provided Arsenal's only three goals.

Before her strike proved the difference on Wednesday she scored the only goal against Everton in the league on Saturday, while her header in Italy secured a point against Juventus a fortnight ago.

The Dutch forward was granted a leave of absence in November and spoke this week about the importance of players not being afraid to take breaks should they need to.

It seems that break has worked a treat as their all-time top goalscorer looked her usual dynamic self, dropping deep to win the ball back and creating chances.

England captain Leah Williamson started her first match since returning from a foot injury and Rafaelle Souza replaced her in the second half, making her first appearance on her comeback from injury.

Line-ups

Arsenal Women

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Zinsberger
  • 26Wienroither
  • 6WilliamsonSubstituted forCarvalho Souzaat 62'minutes
  • 3Wubben-Moy
  • 7Catley
  • 13Wälti
  • 11Miedema
  • 12Maanum
  • 15McCabe
  • 25BlacksteniusSubstituted forNobbsat 79'minutes
  • 19FoordSubstituted forBeattieat 90+2'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Carvalho Souza
  • 5Beattie
  • 8Nobbs
  • 16Maritz
  • 18Marckese
  • 23Iwabuchi
  • 59Agyemang

Juventus Femminile

Formation 4-3-3

  • 16Peyraud-Magnin
  • 71Lenzini
  • 32Sembrant
  • 23Salvai
  • 13Boattin
  • 21CarusoSubstituted forCantoreat 65'minutes
  • 2PedersenSubstituted forGunnarsdóttirat 80'minutes
  • 15Grosso
  • 11BonanseaSubstituted forCernoiaat 45'minutes
  • 10GirelliSubstituted forBonfantiniat 89'minutes
  • 18Beerensteyn

Substitutes

  • 1Aprile
  • 7Cernoia
  • 8Rosucci
  • 9Cantore
  • 12Lundorf
  • 19Zamanian
  • 22Bonfantini
  • 27Schatzer
  • 33Duljan
  • 38Forcinella
  • 77Gunnarsdóttir
Referee:
Ivana Martincic
Attendance:
6,592

Match Stats

Home TeamArsenal WomenAway TeamJuventus Femminile
Possession
Home48%
Away52%
Shots
Home15
Away8
Shots on Target
Home3
Away2
Corners
Home8
Away3
Fouls
Home6
Away5

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Arsenal Women 1, Juventus Femminile 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Arsenal Women 1, Juventus Femminile 0.

  3. Post update

    Martina Lenzini (Juventus Femminile) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal Women).

  5. Substitution

    Substitution, Arsenal Women. Jen Beattie replaces Caitlin Foord.

  6. Post update

    Attempt missed. Lisa Boattin (Juventus Femminile) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Linda Sembrant.

  7. Post update

    Offside, Arsenal Women. Vivianne Miedema tries a through ball, but Caitlin Foord is caught offside.

  8. Substitution

    Substitution, Juventus Femminile. Agnese Bonfantini replaces Cristiana Girelli.

  9. Post update

    Attempt missed. Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Vivianne Miedema.

  10. Post update

    Foul by Sofia Cantore (Juventus Femminile).

  11. Post update

    Lia Wälti (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  12. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Katie McCabe (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

  13. Post update

    Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Martina Lenzini.

  14. Post update

    Offside, Arsenal Women. Caitlin Foord tries a through ball, but Katie McCabe is caught offside.

  15. Post update

    Offside, Arsenal Women. Stephanie-Elise Catley tries a through ball, but Jordan Nobbs is caught offside.

  16. Post update

    Attempt saved. Julia Grosso (Juventus Femminile) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Martina Lenzini.

  17. Substitution

    Substitution, Juventus Femminile. Sara Gunnarsdóttir replaces Sofie Pedersen.

  18. Substitution

    Substitution, Arsenal Women. Jordan Nobbs replaces Stina Blackstenius.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Valentina Cernoia (Juventus Femminile).

  20. Post update

    Lia Wälti (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

As It Stood

A

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Chelsea Women3300110119
2Paris Saint-Germain Féminines31115144
3Real Madrid Femenino31112204
4Vllaznia Femra3003015-150

B

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1VfL Wolfsburg Ladies32107167
2Roma Femminile32106427
3St. Pölten Women310248-43
4Slavia Prague Women300304-40

C

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Arsenal Women4310103710
2Lyon Féminines42119637
3Juventus Femminile41214315
4Zürich Women4004112-110

D

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Barcelona Femenino4301174139
2FC Bayern München Ladies43018719
3Benfica Women4202613-76
4Rosengård Women4004310-70
View full Women's Champions League tables

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