Arsenal have work to do if they want to reach the group stage of the Women’s Champions League. A 2-2 draw in the first leg at Meadow Park was a positive result for Ajax to return to Amsterdam, even though there is no away goal to give them a further advantage.
Apart from that draw last week, in which Ajax equalized in the 83rd minute, it was a perfect start to the season for Arsenal. After touring Brighton on opening day, the Gunners backed up this weekend with a 4-0 win over Tottenham in the North London derby. Beth Mead among those who were on target for record crowds in the Emirates.
Arsenal will play all three home matches in the Champions League group stage at the Emirates if they make it to tonight’s game, giving them an extra incentive to get the job done in Amsterdam. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!
Live updates
Arsenal riot over Spurs as WSL derby attendance record is broken
This could be a very good week for Arsenal as it has already nailed rivals Tottenham in front of a record crowd.
Arsenal produced a dominant performance to sideline rivals Tottenham in a record-breaking derby in north London.
The highest ever Women’s Super League (WSL) crowd of 47,367 was on hand to watch a very one-sided game at the Emirates Stadium, with a brace from Vivienne Miedema and further goals from Euro 2022 heroes Beth Mead and Rafaelle Souza which secured a second straight 4-0 win to start the delayed campaign for Jonas Eidevall’s Gunners.
Read the full match report here!
Eidevall sends Ajax message
On the club’s official website, the Arsenal boss said: “I thought they were… [Ajax] played with a lot of confidence when we played them last week, and I’m under no illusions that this game will be anything different. Like, it will be a hard game. We’ll have to be very good.
“Away matches in Europe are tough, especially when we play against a good team like Ajax. So we will have to be good at all aspects of the game. If we can be that, I think we can make it through. But it’s up to us to get to that level.”
Forecast
Aside from last week’s late disappointment, Arsenal are in excellent form and have more than enough experience to qualify for the Champions League tonight.
Arsenal win 3-1.
Arsenal team news
Manager Jonas Eidevall says a full squad has traveled to the Dutch capital tonight, meaning Arsenal have no new injury concerns.
Where can you watch Ajax vs Arsenal
live stream: The match will be broadcast for free on the Arsenal website and the official app.
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal’s Champions League play-off with Ajax tonight.
Kick-off inside the Sports Complex De Toekomst is at 6pm BST.