- Caitlin Foord bagged herself four goals in win over Rangers
- Arsenal will now face Rosenborg in the first round final on 7 September
- Mariona Caldentey and Rosa Kafaji both made their competitive debuts
Arsenal impressed in their first Champions League knock-out qualifier against Rangers on Wednesday night as they edge closer to a spot in round two.
Caitlin Foord came away with four goals, while Alessia Russo and a penalty from captain Kim Little took the final score to 6-0.
Jonas Eidevall's side will now face Norwegian club Rosenborg on 7 September to fight for their spot in round two of the qualifiers.
How the game unfolded
Arsenal looked a bit shaky in the first ten minutes, failing to maintain possession. Champions League football brings with it nerves, and after their early exit from the tournament last year, they had a lot to prove.
However, the game changed pace immediately after Foord hit the back of the net with a header, thanks to a curling ball in from new recruit Mariona Caldentey in the 16th minute.
Despite the score staying at 1-0 for the remainder of the first half, Arsenal were in complete control. Foord put in a good shift, working well with Emily Fox on the right. Little kept things together in the middle, paying balls to either wing when the opportunity arose.
Although Caldentey wasn't lucky enough to have hold of the ball much in the first half, she was dominant and a real threat for the opposition when she did get the chance to impress.
Arsenal took it up a gear in the second half and their efforts were rewarded when Foord got her second of night 59 minutes in. Russo's persistence also paid off, seeing her get on the score sheet just one minute later.
With a 4-0 lead, the Gunners looked as though they were really enjoying their return to a sold-out Meadow Park, who didn't stop making noise for the entirety of the game.
Foord proved she was unstoppable and secured her fourth of the evening after getting her foot on a volley from a sweeping ball made by Katie McCabe.
The defender was then taken down shortly after in the penalty box, seeing Arsenal awarded a penalty. Little stepped up and scored the last goal of the evening.
Arsenal should be very pleased with their 6-0 victory against a struggling Rangers. Eidevall has spoken a lot about his desire to build player relationships and it's clear that is definitely working.
Arsenal player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Manuela Zinsberger - 8/10 - Didn't have much to do, but remained a safe pair of hands.
RB: Emily Fox - 8/10 - Worked well with Foord down the wing and generated threatening balls into the box.
CB: Laia Codina Panedas - 7/10 - Looked very settled in her role, not afraid to enter into difficult tackles when needed.
CB: Leah Williamson - 7/10 - Took control of the backline, helping to maintain possession.
LB: Katie McCabe - 8/10 - Created an impressive assist for Foord, while staying strong at the back.
CM: Kyra Cooney-Cross - 7/10 - A great playmaker and wasn't afraid of putting her body on the line.
CM: Kim Little - 9/10 - A reliable captain as ever, creating play and helping ease nerves when stakes are high.
CM: Frida Maanum - 6/10 - An average performance, but missed a great opportunity to volley a cross on an open goal.
RW: Mariona Caldentey - 8/10 - Made an impressive competitive debut and earned her first assist.
ST: Alessia Russo - 7/10 - Struggled to get into the game with her usual dominance, but still got a goal and got stuck in.
LW: Caitlin Foord - 10/10 - Four goals and a determination to win from the off, what else is there to say?
Substitutes
SUB: Stina Blackstenius (70' for Russo) - 6/10
SUB: Rosa Kafaji (70' for Maanum) - 6/10
SUB: Laura Wienroither (79' for Fox) - N/A
SUB: Lia Walti (79' for Cooney-Cross) - N/A
SUB: Katherine Moller Kuhl (87' for Caldentey) - N/A
Manager
Jonas Eidevall - 8/10 - Arsenal remained in control and looked confident in the process. An encouraging start to the club's Champions League qualification journey.
