Arsenal defender Jen Beattie says that the team thrived from the recent trip to Moscow for their Round 1 ties in the revamped UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The Gunners took on FC Okhetpes and PSV in the Russian capital over the space of just four days. Jonas Eidevall’s side were successful with back-to-back wins securing Arsenal their place in Round 2.
Around 1,800 miles separate the capital cities of England and Russia and such a mammoth trip was far from ideal preparation on the eve of the new domestic season. Nevertheless, Arsenal defender Beattie says that both herself and her teammates enjoyed the experience and they look back on it positively.
“Everyone really enjoyed it;” Beattie told FAWSL Full-Time in a recent FAWSL media event. “We felt that it was a privilege being away with the squad. We are hopefully getting towards the end of this pandemic and getting back to normality. Having everyone together, I think that we all thrived off it to be honest.
“We obviously had a couple of days off when we got back, it was a late one not getting back until half five straight from the game but everyone had a couple of days off and we are fresh and ready to go again this week.”
Arsenal avoided some of European football’s biggest names in the Round 2 draw against the odds. Eidevall’s side have been paired with Czech club Slavia Prague. Despite being handed the easiest tie on paper, Beattie went on to say that the club were prepared for every possible outcome.
She added “We were ready for anything (in the draw). I think going in unseeded, you never really know what to expect so we were prepared for whatever was the outcome.
“We are definitely looking forward to playing against Prague.”
Arsenal prepared for their UEFA Women’s Champions League Round 1 fixtures with a reduced squad as a result of Olympic commitments while there was little time for those players returning from Japan to bed back in. Beattie expressed her delight at what the group have already gone on to achieve in a very short space of time.
“It has been challenging for sure, especially with the girls coming back from the Olympics;” she said. “It has been hard to get into a rhythm but credit to the staff for preparing everyone.
“Even before Jonas arrived, we were trying to implement all of his new philosophies and styles so I feel like we have made a really good start. We have shown glimpses of what we can play like this year which is good for so early on.
“We are off to a good start, we just need to keep the ball rolling now.”
The first leg of Arsenal’s UEFA Women’s Champions League Round 2 tie against Slavia Prague takes place at Meadow Park on Tuesday evening. The match is scheduled to kick-off at 7.30pm.
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