Thank you so much for joining me for this match. Arsenal impress with a clinical away win which boost their hopes of progressing out of the group. Juventus will now have to win as many points as possible to make sure they get through. To catch all the action have a read of the report below. We will have more coverage of the competition this evening with Tom Garry at the Man City v Hammarby game and I will be back tomorrow to bring you live updates from Celtic v Chelsea. Until then, have a good evening.
Baukje has emailed about the Eidevall/Slegers question:
Don’t think Arsenal would have bounced back with Eidevall.
The “click”/trust between him and the players was gone I felt.
Also don’t think it is Slegers causing a huge impact. Would have happened with another interim also.
Do think Sleger fits, there was already trust with her and the players so she is the best interim for now.
Looks like the players got rid of some pressure now that Eidevall is gone. That pressure happens when a team and a coach are not functioning anymore but no decision has been made about stepping down. Not necessary him as a person but as coach.
If Slegers can keep the pressure off and keeps them scoring 4-5 goals a game good times are coming.
Yeah there is definite change in this Arsenal team. Slegers has said she is in charge until at least the next international break so we will have to wait and see what happens beyond that point.
I have to say I love the pun in this Arsenal post and I am also frustrated I didn’t think of it myself:
Arsenal sit in second with Bayern Munich top of their group. The German side beat Arsenal earlier in the competition and still have to play their third match of the group, which kick off at 8pm GMT. Juventus remain in third.
Barcelona’s game against St Polten has ended 7-0 with Claudia Pina and Caroline Graham Hansen adding goals in the second half. The defending champions still sit behind Manchester City in the group as City defeated them earlier in the competition.
Here are the three second half goals scored by Arsenal:
Would Arsenal have bounced back if Jonas Eidevall remained in the job? Or has Renee Slegers had a huge impact? Get in touch and let me know your thoughts.
Full time: Juventus 0-4 Arsenal
This was a professional and clinical win for Arsenal. They are firmly back in form and a deadly team in the WCL and WSL. Juventus’ European hopes are not over yet but this will be a blow to their ambitions.
90 + 3 min: Can Arsenal score again here? Caldentey does not get a shot away but she does win a free kick. The chance does not go anywhere.
90 + 1 min: The delivery was okay but no one can connect. Juventus put is back in but it goes out for a goal kick after Bonansea hits it out. There will be four minutes added.
90 min: Juventus win a late corner as Williamson sees it out.
88 min: An Arsenal win was not out of the question at all but this result is compounding their impressive 5-0win over Brighton. Renee Slegers is doing a hell of a job in the interim Arsenal seat.
GOAL! Juventus 0-4 Arsenal (Foord, 87)
Who would have predicted this?
Updated
86 min: Fox is off for Codina, a really solid performance from the American. Cooney-Cross is also on for Walti.
85 min: Arsenal are in the ascendency again with some intricate passing around the box. Juventus do enough to keep them at bay for now.
83 min: This will be a huge result for Arsenal if they can see this out. I mean it would be an exciting end if Juventus staged a comeback but they do not look good enough tonight.
81 min: Caldentey has now scored three goals in the WCL this season, Hurtig made the first move and Foord kept the move going. Caldentey then pounced and they have thoroughly beaten Juventus.
GOAL! Juventus 0-3 Arsenal (Caldentey, 80)
She scores again!
Updated
80 min: Fox makes a great run but Peyraud-Magnin collects her cross, the USA player has been an asset for Arsenal tonight.
78 min: Hurtig is on for Arsenal, the player moved from Juventus to Arsenal a few seasons ago and so it is a slight homecoming for her this evening.
76 min: Kullberg just kept backing off Blackstenius and the forward took full advantage, running all the way and beating the keeper. Surely Arsenal are coming away with all three points now.
GOAL! Juventus 0-2 Arsenal (Blackstenius, 75)
Blackstenius doubles the lead with a sensational solo effort.
Updated
75 min: Juventus are trying their hardest to batter down the Arsenal defence but it is standing strong, it has been a good outing by the Gunners backline.
73 min: The corner is repelled but Williamson sends it back in only for Peyraud-Magnin to catch and clear.
71 min: Van Domselaar seems absolutely fine to continue so read into that what you will. Arsenal are onto the attack straight away with Caldentey having a punt at goal and Peyraud-Magnin sees it out for a corner.
70 min: Van Domselaar is down injured here and medical staff have run on to treat her. I’m unsure if it’s a tactical move or if the shotstopper is actually in a spot of bother.
68 min: A lovely move from Juventus but the final pass, trying to find Cantore, has too much on it so Arsenal can clear.
67 min: McCabe complains as Juventus players step over their line for the wall. McCabe sends it deep and Foord heads it into the path of Williamson but the defender’s effort is over the bar. Juventus immediately counter and Vangsgaard takes a shot which is saved. This game is all or nothing in terms of action.
65 min: Arsenal win a free kick through a challenge on Williamson from Bonansea. It’s in a good position and McCabe will take it.
63 min: The game has got a little scrappy and stop start but Arsenal are still the team with momentum.
61 min: Arsenal make a change with McCabe off for Blackstenius and Juventus also make a change with Bonansea on for the hosts.
60 min: Bergamaschi is ruled offside and she is heard saying ‘no, no, no no’ to the assistant referee. Juventus’ frustrations clear to see. Arsenal counter and they are so close to a second with Fox hitting the woodwork, wow.
58 min: Foord has a great run and she creates a chance which reaches Walti but Beccari sees it out for a corner. The delivery is good and Williamson gets a good touch but Peyraud-Magnin makes a great save.
56 min: Cascarino, while she has made some errors, has been strong for Juventus tonight. She has made some critical clearances and has had a good battle with Mead.
55 min: Vangsgaard makes a brilliant run but she does not have any support and so when she crosses it is easy for Van Domselaar to catch.
53 min: Foord plays a good ball into the box but it is read well by Juventus’ defenders who clear.
Updated
51 min: Some lovely passing from Arsenal again but Maanum is offside and so Juventus launch a counterattack. Bergamaschi crosses into the area but Fox is fouled in the box and so Arsenal are able to clear.
49 min: There have been some interesting challenges so far but no yellow cards being presented, the latest from Mead on Caruso. Mead will have to be careful with a tasty challenge in the first half.
47 min: There are no changes at half-time but Kuhl did look like she was warming up on the sidelines.
Back underway! Juventus 0-1 Arsenal
So can Arsenal hold onto or extend their lead? Or will Juventus get back into this one? All to come.
In the other 5.45pm GMT kick-off Barcelona are beating St Polten 5-0. Ewa Pajor with two goals with Keira Walsh, Kika Nazareth and Claudia Pina also on the scoresheet.
Here is Maanum’s goal:
Half-time: Juventus 0-1 Arsenal
Juventus had so much early pressure but they could not convert it into a goal. Arsenal cranked up their possession and chances which eventually saw Frida Maanum knock down the door. The goal was the first time Juventus have conceded in four games. All to play for but Arsenal are on top.
45 + 1 min: There will be two minutes added.
44 min: Arsenal are playing some beautiful football here, just slicing through the Juventus team. Their latest attack ends with the ball cleared from the box.
42 min: Arsenal want another before half-time but this time Maanum lifts it over the bar for a goal kick. You have to say Renee Slegers is putting her hand up for the permanent manager position with these results, whether she will be considered is another thing but she has done a good job in the interim position.
40 min: Arsenal absolutely carve Juventus open and Maanum beats Peyraud-Magnin for it to trickle into the goal. Arsenal have their reward for all of their pressure.
GOAL! Juventus 0-1 Arsenal (Maanum, 38)
It’s been coming.
Updated
38 min: Oh hang on, I think the decision went Juventus’ way. I do not understand that call at all. But they are able to clear.
37 min: Some lovely long passes, particularly from Boattin’s boot unlocks some attack but the final pass is loose and Arsenal can mop up the chance. As Arsenal look to counter Foord is brought down and wins a free kick from inside her own half. They piece some play together and then Russo wins a free kick, it is getting tasty out there.
35 min: Juventus are choosing the right options but they just aren’t executing them clinically. The same can be said of Arsenal but the visitors have looked more capable of scoring in front of goal so far.
33 min: Mead gives away a cheap free kick with a barge on Cascarino. Juventus take it short and then the in-swinging ball has too much on it from Caruso and its out for a goal kick.
32 min: Juventus have spells of really slick football but their final pass or touch is letting them down at the moment. Arsenal are definitely having more opportunities but the hosts’ counter attack is carving Arsenal open.
30 min: Peyraud-Magnin makes a wild save with a punch away but luckily for the keeper an Arsenal player was not in its path to knock in the rebound. She has made a few saves like that and if it continues the visitors could pounce.
28 min: Arsenal work it into the box but Cascarino clears, the Juventus player has been so good for the hosts so far. Juventus counter quickly and Beccari has another shot but Van Domselaar saves.
27 min: Russo wins a free kick in the midfield after a Boattin foul. Russo makes a slow return to her feet but she looks okay to continue. The free kick is played backwards and so it launches the latest Gunners attack.
25 min: My word, if that went in it would have be an absolute belter. Fox has taken a long range effort which is just over the bar. Peyraud-Magnin got a fingertip to it but the corner is not awarded for Arsenal.
23 min: As soon as I say Juventus are being quiet, they have a shot on target. Schatzer takes a punt but Van Domselaar was wise to it.
22 min: Foord passes to Russo, who takes a shot but Peyraud-Magnim makes a save but she can’t control it. Cascarino needs to clear it before an Arsenal player can pick up the rebound. It has been all Arsenal for the past 15 minutes.
20 min: Fox has been at the heart of everything good Arsenal are doing so far, she is the linchpin in their attack at the moment. They just need a clinical final touch and they can score.
Updated
18 min: Williamson pops it back into the box but it is over the head of Russo and Juventus are able to clear once more.
16 min: Arsenal work it through the team expertly and Mead crosses into the box. Schatzer sees it out for a corner and Arsenal take it short, it ends with the ball hitting the referee and so we will restart with Arsenal possession.
14 min: Arsenal have found their fourth gear as Maanum finds Russo in the box, who rifles off a powerful shot but Peyraud-Magnin saves. Both sides have had promising opportunities so far.
13 min: Peyraud-Magnin roars to herself as staff leave her and she remains on the pitch. Arsenal immediately return to their attack and Fox crosses but the keeper pushes it clear.
11 min: Fox makes a great pass to Russo but she collides with Peyraud-Magnin, who looks to have come away with an injury. there’s a break in play while she receives some treatment.
10 min: Juventus immediately counter and Beccari gets in a great position but her shot is less impressive with it fired directly at Van Domselaar who easily saves.
Updated
8 min: Mead and McCabe stand over the ball but it is the Republic of Ireland international who takes is and what a hit it is. It’s on target but Peyraud-Magnin pushes it over the bar for a corner. The delivery was good but Williamson can’t direct it goalward but that phase of play was more promising from the visitors.
6 min: Arsenal were being pinned in their final third but a long ball from Williamson unlocks their attack and Cascarino gives away a free kick.
4 min: Juventus have had the lionshare of possession early on and they have a chance here. Cantore looked to work it passed Van Domselaar but she read it well to see it out for a corner. The hosts take it short but it’s cleared well.
2 min: Juventus have not conceded a goal since they lost to Bayern Munich earlier this competition. It will be tricky for Arsenal to break them down tonight.
Kick-off! Juventus 0-0 Arsenal
Here we go then. Can Arsenal get an away win? Or will Juventus take all the points? All to come.
Here’s your five minute countdown. Get your snacks and beverages ready, the show is about to begin.
The players will be out on the pitch shortly in a crucial match which will help shape how this group looks come the end of the stage. Will Juventus leapfrog the Gunners into second place? All to come with kick-off in 15 minutes time.
Let’s get some snack chat underway shall we? I have once again opted for salted popcorn, a reliable snack choice. What are you digging into for this match? Email me or contact me on X (@rendellx).
Arsenal’s match against Bayern Munich will be moved away from the Emirates because of a clash with the men’s team. Our very own Suzy Wrack wrote about the decision here:
Juventus manager Max Canzi said: “We’ll take them [Arsenal] on by playing our game, we’ve worked on our style of play in these last few months and by now we have our own identity both with and without the ball, so we’ll take them on by looking to play to our strengths, but aware of theirs too.”
Arsenal’s Beth Mead spoke to press in the build-up to the game about interim boss Renee Slegers: “We’ve obviously worked with Renee for quite a while now - in different roles to what she’s in now - but I think she’s taken to it like a duck to water.
“It’s been an easy transition. We know what she gives us - the confidence she gives us, we’re playing good football. As individuals and as a collective, we’re really happy with what Renee is doing for us right now. She deserves the credit.”
The team news is here. Juventus have named a strong team which includes Estelle Cascarino.
Juventus: Peyraud-Magnin; Lenzini, Calligaris, Cascarino; Bergamaschi, Caruso, Schatzer, Boattin; Cantore, Vangsgaard, Beccari.
Subs: Capelletti, Proulx, Kullberg, Lehmann, Rosucci, Girelli, Bonansea, Bennison, Bragonzi, Thomas, Krumbiegel, Gallo.
Arsenal, meanwhile, once again opt for Daphne van Domselaar in goal. They also leave their top scorer in the competition, Mariona Caldentey, on the bench after she missed the Brighton game with muscle strain.
Arsenal: Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Maanum, Walti; Mead, Russo, Foord.
Subs: Zinsberger, Williams, Wubben-Moy, Codina, Caldentey, Kafaji, Hurtig, Kuhl, Blackstenius, Wienroither, Cooney-Cross, Reid.
Premable
Hello and welcome back to our Women’s Champions League coverage where tonight we will be focusing on Juventus v Arsenal.
The Gunners have had a slightly tumultuous season with Jonas Eidevall resigning but results have been getting the club back on track with their latest a 5-0 victory against Brighton in the WSL.
Arsenal are currently second in their WCL group after losing to Bayern Munich but beating Vålerenga. Juventus, meanwhile, are third in the group, trailing Arsenal on goal difference.
The top two from every group will progress to the knockout stage and so tonight’s game is another crucial fixture for both teams. Arsenal face tough opposition in Juventus, who are currently top of the Serie A table with eight wins and a draw from nine games so far this season.
We will take a look at what both camps have said in the build-up shortly but first let’s take a look at the team news before kick-off at 5.45pm GMT.