Arsenal Women qualify for Champions League group stages with Gunners drawn against big names
The Gunners beat BK Hacken 4-0 (4-1 on aggregate) to win through to the group stages of the Champions League at a wet and windy Meadow Park
Hello,
Happy Friday!
Will it ever stop raining? Doesn’t feel like it, does it?
It was another wet and windy evening at Meadow Park on Thursday, but no-one really cared, as Arsenal Women finally qualified for the group stages of the Champions League.
It’s been a tortuous few weeks for Jonas Eidevall and his side, beginning their odyssey at the start of this month, by easing past Rangers 6-0, prior to beating Rosenborg, both victories in a single match, winner-takes all format at Meadow Park.
It was then onto Sweden for a two-legged affair, against BK Hacken.
Arsenal Women: Victory Through Harmony: Suzy Lycett @Boodlepim shot for the Gooner Fanzine
Freddie Cardy and Suzy Lycett were in Scandinavia representing the Gooner Fanzine, as the Gunners slipped to a 1-0 defeat. Which, thankfully was overturned in some style last night, with Arsenal winning 4-0. (You can read my Morning Star match report below.)
We’re really proud of the superb coverage Freddie has consistently provided over the last couple of seasons, and we now have the equally brilliant Suzy on board (@boodlepim) with her outstanding sports photography.
We’re in the middle of pulling together our first digital only Arsenal Women’s issue of the season as we speak - I wanted to know where we stood in terms of Champions League qualification prior to publication, which, thankfully we do now, otherwise the edition would have been completely different in terms of tone and content - so please do keep an eye out for that over the next week or so.
We’ll also be showcasing Suzy’s outstanding photography in our digital edition, so if you’re a fan of top quality sports snaps, then you’ll absolutely love boodlepim’s work, which we aim to feature all season long.
Here’s a few from last night to whet your appetite.
Victoria Concordia Crescit. CREDIT: Suzy Lycett @Boodlepim
Substitute Frida Maanum celebrates after netting Arsenal's fourth. Credit: Suzy Lycett @boodlepim
A superb action photo of Katie McCabe by sports photographer Suzy Lycett (@Boodlepim) shot for the Gooner Fanzine
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Champions League draw:
Eidevall’s side were drawn into Group C.
Arsenal Women will take on Bayern Munich, Juventus and Valerenga in the group stage of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Arsenal will play their three home group games at Emirates Stadium, with tickets for each match going on sale tomorrow, Saturday, (September 28) after fixture details are confirmed at 10am.
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PS:
Do you know of a young (or not so young) Gooner in your life who might benefit from a free subscription?
We had 11 subscriptions gifted to the Gooner during our recent campaign to help keep us going by two kind subscribers, including ten from one particular gentleman and loyal reader.
We have gifted a couple already, but have nine left, so are you a teacher who knows of a youngster who has done well recently and would enjoy reading our humble publication as a small nod to their efforts - and who knows, perhaps become a loyal reader in the future - then please do get in touch.
Or do you know someone who's been through the mill recently and deserves a little pick me up?
Or has someone carried out a kind act for you, who deserves a little something by way of thank you. Or you'd like to offer a kindness to someone who deserves it.
Please do get in touch with a short note explaining why you think you have a worthy recipient for a subscription, and we'll do the rest.
Cheers
Layth
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DAILY LIST:
I - Head back to Meadow Park this evening to run the rule over the Arsenal U21s vs Liverpool U21s.
When the world and his wife pretends to be experts on Gunners youngsters, especially after matches like the hugely enjoyable 5-1 rout of Bolton, you can rest assured knowing that we can actually give authentic verdicts that come from genuine, first hand knowledge of such talented young guns - because the Gooner Fanzine goes the extra mile to cover the vast majority of U21 matches, along with a group of incredibly loyal fans.
Plus the fact it’s actually great fun, and why wouldn’t you want to watch talented youngsters play football.
See you at Boreham Wood later.
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Arsenal Women match report
Arsenal Women 4-0 BK Hacken: Report by Layth Yousif at Meadow Park
A relieved Jonas Eidevall insisted Arsenal's season "starts now" after they finally ensured qualification for the Women's Champions League group stage after early season travails.
After losing the first leg of their qualifying tie 1-0 with BK Hacken in Sweden last week, Eidevall’s side eased to a deserved 4-0 victory at a rain-lashed Meadow Park on Wednesday evening.
Lia Walti opened the scoring by crashing a superb, long-range effort into the net off the underside of the bar, prior to summer signing Mariona Caldentey doubling the lead before half time, as a lively Arsenal side dominated the visitors from Gothenburg.
England international Beth Mead made it 3-0 shortly after the interval, prior to substitute Frida Maanum making it four to seal an emphatic victory for Arsenal.
Speaking after the match, Eidevall said: "One part of the season starts now. That I'm really happy for."
"I think we've grown with our performances. We've got the results we wanted. We can't relax, the season starts for us now here. We are in all four competitions we want to be in and need to make the most out of it.
"We built the squad for competing, we need the squad to compete. We're ready to play these games."
Arsenal join Women's Super League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City in Friday lunchtime’s main draw - the first time three English teams will compete in the group stages in its current format.
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