Arsenal 1-0 HB Køge: Caldentey scores stoppage-time penalty

Mariona Caldentey scored a stoppage-time penalty to secure victory for a wasteful Arsenal at home to Danish side HB Køge in the first game of their Women's Champions League campaign.

The league phase meeting at the Mangata Developments Stadium Meadow Park, watched by 1,910 supporters, was goalless at half-time and looked to be heading the same way until the third minute of stoppage time, when Arsenal finally found a way past a well-organised visiting side.

Caldentey converts from the spot

Arsenal had struggled in front of goal against opponents made up of several part-time players, and were heading towards a disappointing draw when Caldentey scored from the spot after Selina Cerci was tripped in the box.

HB Køge goalkeeper Alberte Vingum was unable to deny Caldentey from 12 yards, despite managing to get a hand to her strike.

Kelly's goal ruled out after VAR check

The Gunners earlier thought they had scored when Chloe Kelly sent an outside-of-the-boot prod past Vingum, but her strike was ruled out after a VAR check deemed Stina Blackstenius to have been in an offside position and in the goalkeeper's eyeline.

Otherwise Arsenal looked toothless all too often, enjoying dominance of the ball but unable to find a way through.

The strength of the defensive performance from the visitors made a difference too, with the energetic half-time celebrations of Køge boss Kristian Morch highlighting the determined nature of his side's display. Arsenal lacked aggression in the final third and were often sloppy in possession, gifting opportunities for the Danish side to press and snatch the ball.

Slegers makes eight changes before Chelsea visit

Gunners boss Renée Slegers had made eight changes from the side which salvaged a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the weekend, but opted to switch things up at the break, introducing Alessia Russo in place of Blackstenius in search of a goal threat.

It provided little of the sort as the second half proceeded in the same manner as the first, with Arsenal dominating but struggling to fashion clear-cut chances. They rescued it from the spot in the end.

Familiar frustrations in front of goal

There was a clear sense of disappointment surrounding Arsenal going into this game, given that their struggles in front of goal played a large part in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United and the stalemate with Crystal Palace.

Making eight changes following the United draw, in a week where they face Chelsea on Sunday at 16:30 BST, was an understandable decision on Slegers' part. However, as Arsenal's frustrations wore on throughout the game, it only contributed to a feeling that they may not have afforded Køge the required respect.

The game progressed to a state where Arsenal seemingly prioritised quantity over quality of chances, as their decision-making continued to fall wide of the mark. While they managed to find a way to win, it came only as a result of a piece of clumsy defending from Køge which gifted them the penalty.

Given the strength of opponents on the way for the Gunners in this competition, including a trip to the Nou Camp to face Barcelona and a game against European heavyweights Lyon, much improvement will need to be done.

Vingum was named player of the match with an average rating of 7.89, ahead of A. Borbe and Kyra Cooney-Cross, both on 6.68.

Arsenal are next in league phase action away to Paris FC on 30 September, before hosting Benfica on 28 October.

SportsLigue