Arsenal have recorded their third victory in the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage, battling to a 3-0 success over a much improved HB Køge side at Boreham Wood.
The Gunners were 5-1 winners in the reverse fixture in Denmark last week but HB Køge were a much tougher nut to crack this evening.
The visitors settled into the game relatively well but goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese was forced into a crucial save after 14 minutes to deny Caitlin Foord.
Arsenal would take the lead just a minute later when Beth Mead found herself on the ball on the left and she crossed for Foord to tap home from a little over six yards, although there may have been a slight suspicion of offside.
The Gunners soon pushed for a second goal but Marckese was equal to shots from Jordan Nobbs and Mead. Arsenal thought that they had scored again on the stroke of half-time but Mead’s effort was harshly ruled out for offside before Marckese pulled off a good save to deny Nikita Parris.
Chances were more infrequent at the start of the second half with HB Køge defending with both organisation and bravery. Foord and Frida Maanum tested Marckese but in truth, the visiting keeper found herself rarely tested.
HB Køge defender Isabella Obaze did superbly well to deny Arsenal substitute Vivianne Miedema a certain goal with a last-ditch block before the visitors were almost level 13 minutes from time when Maddie Pokorny flicked an effort towards goal but Lydia Williams was equal to it.
Arsenal finally made the breakthrough seven minutes from time when Lotte Wubben-Moy thundered the ball home with her head following a corner kick before Miedema got her goal at the death, beating Marckese from close range.
Arsenal will now turn their attentions to their trip to Manchester United in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League on Sunday.
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