Arsenal Women secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Danish side HB Koge in their UEFA Women’s Champions League opener at Meadow Park on Tuesday.
The Gunners headed into the fixture off the back of a 1-1 draw against Manchester United in the Women’s Super League.
They started brightly and looked to assert their dominance.
Chloe Kelly was the first to threaten, rifling a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the box. Shortly after, goalkeeper Alberte Vingum parried Frida Maanum’s shot away.
Kelly thought she had given Arsenal the lead in the 13th minute after volleying into the bottom corner from Kyra Cooney-Cross’ delivery.
Another effort from Maanum was saved before the half-hour mark as Arsenal continued their search for the opening goal.
The north London side dominated for the rest of the first period but could not find the back of the net.
Arsenal picked up where they left off before the interval, bossing possession, but it was Koge who nearly broke the deadlock.
The Danish side broke through from a counter-attack, with Sarah Thygesen chasing the ball into the hosts’ half, but goalkeeper Anneke Borba quickly came off her line to clear the danger.
Arsenal continued to dominate but did not find the breakthrough until stoppage time, when Selina Cerci was brought down in the area.
Mariona Caldentey stepped up to convert, firing past the goalkeeper to claim all three points for Renee Slegers’ side.
The Gunners are back in action on Sunday at Chelsea in the Women’s Super League, before travelling to Paris to face Paris FC for their second Champions League match.
