Arsenal dominate Juventus with four-goal rout in Turin

Arsenal continued their unbeaten run under interim boss Renee Slegers with a commanding 4-0 UEFA Women’s Champions League victory at Juventus on Tuesday.

The Gunners, who have picked up four wins and a draw during Slegers’ five matches in charge since Jonas Eidevall’s resignation, dominated the encounter and created numerous chances without finding a clinical touch, but a late flurry of goals helped to continue Slegers’ strong start in the dug-out.

Frida Maanum was on hand to open the scoring seven minutes before half-time, dinking a sublime finish into the back of the net to cap off a fine move of slick, first-time passing from the visitors.

Juventus, who had only lost once in the 2024/25 campaign before their clash with The Gunners, struggled to get a foothold throughout as the visitors continued to probe away, with Emily Fox seeing a delicate effort hit the crossbar in the second half.

But Slegers’ side finally found their goalscoring boots with a late flurry, spearheaded by substitute Stina Blackstenius, who doubled Arsenal’s lead on 75 minutes with a fine solo effort, cutting in from the left flank and firing beyond Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.

The French goalkeeper made a series of fine stops to keep her side in the tie throughout the evening, but the result was put beyond doubt when the recently-introduced Mariona Caldentey rifled home for Arsenal’s third 10 minutes from time.

And Caitlin Foord ensured Arsenal would open a three-point gap on third-placed Juve in Group C, tapping home from Kyra Cooney-Cross’ excellent ball in to complete the four-goal rout.

Talking Point – Arsenal’s next manager right under their noses

The new manager bounce is pretty inevitable, and usually reinforces the idea that the grass was, in fact, greener. Arsenal were chaotic under Jonas Eidevall at the start of the season, and his interim replacement was always bound to improve upon results – but Slegers’ audition for the permanent gig has still exceeded expectations.

Slegers has faced numerous questions as to whether she would take on the role, and has always provided the respectful, diplomatic response – insisting she is focusing on the now, and looking to get the best out of the Gunners for however long she remains in charge.

But very serious discussions should be taking place in the Arsenal hierarchy over her permanent appointment. Four wins and a draw in her opening five matches, and tonight’s was arguably the most impressive of the lot.

The Gunners absolutely dismantled Juve in every department, and with a more clinical touch in front of goal, it could certainly have been more than the four goals. And their first absolutely epitomised how Slegers has unlocked this side, and arrested their turgid tendencies in attack from the start of the campaign.

Arsenal look to be playing not only with bundles of confidence, but also plenty of joy. Slegers clearly has the dressing room onside, and with no external candidates crying out as an outstanding option, the case for the interim boss to slot into permanent role is becoming ever-stronger.

Player of the Match – Caitlin Foord

The winger was a thorn in Juve’s side all evening, and was absolutely deserving of her late goal after an imperious display.

Foord’s assist for Maanum’s opening goal was world-class, sending the midfielder through with a deft, first-time through ball after a slick team move.

The Juve defence were quick to clear the danger whenever the ball fell as their feet, largely in part to the urgency with which Foord was closing them down – they did not know how to deal with the Australian.

Player Ratings

Juventus: Peyraud-Magnin 8, Lenzini 4, Calligaris 5, Cascarino 6, Bergamaschi 6, Caruso 5, Schatzer 5, Boattin 6, Cantore 5, Vangsgaard 5, Beccari 4. Subs: Kullberg 4, Bonansea 5, Bennison 4, Thomas 4, Krumbiegel 4.

Arsenal: Van Domselaar 6; Fox 8, Williamson 7, Catley 7, McCabe 7; Little 8, Maanum 8, Walti 8; Mead 7, Russo 7, Foord 9*. Subs: Codina 6, Caldentey 7, Hurtig 7, , Blackstenius 7, Cooney-Cross 6.

Match Highlights

38′ GOAL! JUVENTUS 0-1 ARSENAL (MAANUM) WOW! That was absolutely incredible from Arsenal, an astonishing team move. Williamson kicks off the move with a nice ball into Mead, who lays off to Little with a neat first-time lay-off. Little then works it to Foord who disguises an unbelievable first-time through ball to the onrushing Maanum, who slots beyond Peyraud-Magnin for the go-ahead goal! Slegers certainly has her side playing!

59′ HOW IS THIS STILL 1-0? Fox sees a delicate effort reverberate off the crossbar after being teed up by Foord, who has caused huge issues for Juve all evening. Arsenal desperately unlucky not to double their lead, and based off the quality of their chances, it would not be unfair to suggest this could be four or five. In the follow-up, Catley receives a yellow card.

75′ GOAL! JUVENTUS 0-2 ARSENAL (BLACKSTENIUS) And that, should be that! A fantastic solo effort from substitute Blackstenius. Caldentey found the striker, who cut in from the left and weaved in and out, sending Kullberg dancing around her own box before squeezing an effort past Peyraud-Magnin at the near post.

80′ GOAL! JUVENTUS 0-3 ARSENAL (CALDENTEY) Arsenal are finally making their dominance count, putting away their chances and both substitutes making a mark. The recently-introduced Hurtig worked her way to the byline before squeezing in a low cross. Juve tried to clear but could only find Caldentey, who rifled into the roof of the net to put the result beyond doubt. What a performance from Slegers’ side.

87′ GOAL! JUVENTUS 0-4 ARSENAL (FOORD) Ohhhh Foord deserves that so much. She’s been excellent tonight. Cooney-Cross is found in space on the right, and her excellent ball in beats Payraud-Magnin and falls perfectly to the feet of Foord, who can tap home with ease. This has become a rout, and the substitutions have really helped Arsenal to put away their chances.

Key Stats

Arsenal have scored 16 goals in five matches under Slegers.

Tonight’s 4-0 victory sees Arsenal earn their third clean sheet from their five matches under Slegers. The Gunners have conceded just two goals since she took over.