Arsenal edge closer to UWCL quarter-finals with narrow victory over Juventus | OneFootball

Arsenal are on the verge of qualifying for the quarter-finals of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League after they defeated Juventus 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium this evening.

Vivianne Miedema netted the only goal of the game early in the first half as the North Londoners moved three points clear at the top of Group C.

Despite going into the game two points adrift of Arsenal, Juventus created the first major goalscoring opportunity. Arianna Caruso saw her shot saved by Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger before Cristiana Girelli sliced the ball off target from the rebound.

Arsenal then had the ball in the back of the net at the other end following a flowing attacking move but Stina Blackstenius had slotted home from an offside position and the goal was chalked off.

The Gunners did break the deadlock with their next attack. Blackstenius beat the offside trap before delivering the ball to the back post for Miedema to thump her effort into the far corner.

Arsenal were the only team likely to score again in the remainder of the first half but Caitlin Foord saw a shot from distance tipped round the post by visiting keeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin before Blackstenius fired over when in a good position to score.

The second half was a real battle in which very few quality chances were produced. Foord tested Peyraud-Magnin from distance while Valentina Cernoia could only find the outer roof of the Arsenal net with Juventus’ best effort deep in second half stoppage time.

It wasn’t a classic performance from Arsenal but it is points that matter at this stage and tonight’s 1-0 win has left Jonas Eidevall’s side in a very strong position to qualify. The Gunners will qualify should they beat Lyon in their next match at the Emirates Stadium but they also have the luxury of an away fixture at bottom club FC Zürich in their final group game. As for Juventus, they are likely to need to win both of their remaining matches to go through to the knockouts.