Arsenal Finish League Phase Strong With Comfortable Win in Leuven
Arsenal wrapped up the UEFA Women’s Champions League league phase with a convincing 3-0 win away at OH Leuven on Wednesday, a result that steadied a campaign that had swung sharply between setbacks and momentum. Beth Mead set the tone early as the reigning champions finished fifth overall and secured a favorable playoff seeding.
The victory, however, was not enough to push Arsenal into the top four and secure automatic qualification for the quarterfinals. Instead, Renée Slegers’ side will enter the February playoffs, where they will face either Atlético Madrid or a familiar opponent in Leuven following Thursday’s draw.
That position still represents progress after a difficult opening to the league phase. Arsenal lost twice in their first three matches, going down against Lyon and Bayern Munich, and were forced to chase consistency across the remaining fixtures.
The context matters for a team defending their European crown. After lifting the Champions League trophy for the first time last season with a final win over Barcelona, expectations were high. The uneven start threatened to derail those ambitions, but a strong finish has restored belief and control heading into the knockout rounds.
In Belgium, Arsenal played with composure from the opening minutes, dominating possession and pinning Leuven deep in their own half. The atmosphere was lively, but the visitors quickly asserted their authority, with Mead central to most of the early attacking patterns.
Chances arrived steadily, and Leuven were repeatedly forced into last-ditch defending. Arsenal’s pressure paid off midway through the first half when Mead broke the deadlock, rewarding a spell of sustained control and intelligent movement in the final third.
The lead settled Arsenal further. Olivia Smith doubled the advantage before the interval, finishing off another well-constructed move that exposed Leuven’s defensive lines. Any remaining resistance faded after the break when Saar Janssen turned the ball into her own net under pressure, effectively ending the contest.
The second half saw Arsenal manage the game professionally, rotating possession and limiting risk. While additional chances came and went, there was no loss of structure, and the defensive unit ensured Leuven never found a route back into the match.
There was no late drama, only confirmation of Arsenal’s growing confidence as they closed out the group stage with authority. The clean sheet and controlled performance underlined their readiness for the challenges ahead.
With the playoffs now in sight, Arsenal has placed itself in a strong position to build toward another deep European run. The early turbulence has given way to momentum, and the champions remain firmly in the hunt to defend their title.