Arsenal Women vs Juventus Femminile. Women's Champions League Group C.
Emirates StadiumAttendance6,592.
Report as Vivianne Miedema nets only goal of game in Arsenal Women's 1-0 win over Juventus Women at Emirates Stadium; Gunners move within a point of qualifying for Women's Champions League knockout stages
Thursday 8 December 2022 09:55, UK
Vivianne Miedema's first-half strike was enough to move Arsenal Women within touching distance of the Champions League knock-outs with a 1-0 win over Juventus Women.
Miedema was perfectly placed to volley home Stina Blackstenius' whipped cross at the back post 17 minutes into a first half which the Gunners dominated.
They had chances to extend their lead before the break, with Caitlin Foord testing Pauline Peyraud-Magnin from distance and Blackstenius looping an effort over the bar.
Juventus dominated large periods of the second 45 minutes but were unable to find a way through, leaving Manuela Zinsberger to gather Julia Grosso's long-range shot as one of few clear-cut chances for the visitors after the break.
Arsenal remain three points clear at the top of Group C thanks to reigning champions Lyon's thumping win over Zurich, which has lifted them into second spot. They now need only a point against the French side next week to qualify.
Arsenal burst out of the traps in their fourth appearance at the Emirates Stadium in 2022, looking to make former boss Joe Montemurro's return to north London an unhappy one.
And they thought they had found the opener even before Miedema's strike when Blackstenius rounded former Arsenal goalkeeper Peyraud-Magnin and slotted home, before the offside flag went up against her.
By that point Juventus had already fashioned their best chance of the game, with Zinsberger sent sprawling to keep out Arianna Caruso's strong effort.
Miedema's strike was more in keeping with the tone of the first half, with Blackstenius delivering a dangerous low ball from the flank which evaded a number of players around the six-yard box before the unmarked forward guided it home at the back post.
Lotte Wubben-Moy headed over from a corner while Caitlin Foord's curling effort bounced awkwardly in front of Peyraud-Magnin, who opted to palm it behind.
Juventus re-emerged for the second half on the offensive for the first time but still found the right final ball hard to come by. Grosso's long-range effort was as good as it got until Valentina Cernoia bent a free-kick just over the bar in the final minute of stoppage time, with Arsenal comfortably holding on to victory.
Speaking after the game, Miedema spoke about returning from an extended two-week break she spent in Adelaide, Australia and how she is feeling refreshed as a result.
She told arsenal.com: "I think it was quite similar to the game we played in Turin last week. We went ahead 1-0, but Juventus turned it around in the second half again. They had a bit more of the ball but we're just quite happy that we actually got the three points because we just need to win one more game and then we're through.
"It's just easier [for me] again. I got on the ball a lot more today, which obviously really helps as well. I'm just happy that I can help the team in this way but I would actually like it if we score a couple more goals, so we finish the games off a bit earlier.
"I think you can see it in my game now. I really needed it [the break]. You could see in my game before and I'm just really happy that I've had it. Three more games now until the Christmas break and we just need to keep winning."
Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall added: "It was as easy as being mentally ready to play and to train and to enjoy. In the last two games here, we've seen some brilliant stuff from her both in offence and in defence. The weight of her passes and touches is extraordinary."
Arsenal are back on Sky Sports this weekend for a Women's Super League trip to Aston Villa on Sunday, live from 3.30pm; kick-off at 4.15pm.
