Mariona Caldentey scored a stoppage-time penalty to give Arsenal Women a narrow 1-0 victory over Køge in their UEFA Women's Champions League League Stage opener. The substitute converted from the spot in the third minute of added time to secure a winning start for Jonas Eidevall's side on a night of frustration at Meadow Park.
Arsenal dominated possession with 56 percent and created 19 attempts on goal, but only two were on target. Køge defended resolutely, limiting the hosts to half-chances for much of the contest. The breakthrough finally came when a foul in the box gave Caldentey the chance to win it, which she took with a calm finish past goalkeeper Anna Vingum.
The result extends Arsenal's unbeaten run to five matches across all competitions, a sequence that includes three wins and two draws. Their recent form includes a 2-2 draw with Manchester City in the WSL, where they conceded an 89th minute equaliser, and a 3-0 victory over Brighton. They currently sit sixth in the Women's Super League with five points from three games, four points behind leaders Manchester City.
Eidevall made five changes during the match in search of a winner. Alessia Russo replaced Stina Blackstenius at half-time, while Caldentey and Lisa Baum were introduced just before the hour mark. The only card of the game went to Køge's Laura Hermann for a foul in the 88th minute. Køge, who managed just four shots all night, made their own raft of substitutions but could not find an equaliser.
Arsenal's next match is a significant Women's Super League clash away to Chelsea on Sunday, 27 September. Chelsea are third in the table, setting up a key early-season encounter. The full squad list and player statistics for the season are available on our squad and stats pages.
