Lia Walti, Mariona Caldentey and Frida Maanum joined the England forward on the scoresheet in an eventually comfortable victory on Thursday night
Arsenal will be in Friday's Champions League group stage draw after successfully recovering from a first leg deficit to beat Hacken 4-1 on aggregate in their second round qualifier. Goals from Lia Walti, Mariona Caldentey, Frida Maanum and a stunner from Beth Mead allowed the Gunners to overcome some early nerves and cruise to a 4-0 victory on Thursday evening, putting the frustration of last week's defeat in Sweden firmly behind them in the process.
In that 1-0 defeat in Gothenburg, Hacken sat back and frustrated their visitors and the plan was similar in this encounter too, with some positive moments on the counter surely raising the anxiety levels for most in north London. When Walti's fierce effort from range cannoned off the crossbar and found its way into the net with an unfortunate deflection off goalkeeper Jennifer Falk then, the relief was palpable. As a roar from head coach Jonas Eidevall echoed through Meadow Park, it felt like Arsenal had done the hardest bit. Now, they just needed another.
That came just before half-time. Hacken were right to feel aggrieved by the goal that gave the Gunners the lead, as Stina Blackstenius certainly interfered with play from an offside position, but the officials either disagreed or didn't see it, allowing Caldentey's deflected strike to stand.
Tabitha Tindell, who scored the only goal in the first leg, had Hacken's best chance of the night when Caldentey's misplaced pass played her through on goal just after the break, a chance it felt like she had to take to turn the tide. But only a few minutes after her effort curled comfortably into the arms of Manuela Zinsberger, Arsenal had a third. It was the pick of the lot, too, Mead flicking the ball over the head of her marker before rifling a volley beyond Falk to all-but-secure the Gunners' place in the Champions League group stages.
There was still time for one more though, with all three of Eidevall's substitutes linking up to put the icing on the cake. Kyra Cooney-Cross picked out the run of Caitlin Foord and she cut it back for Maanum to finish first time in what was a really impressive team performance.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Meadow Park…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Manuela Zinsberger (7/10):
Wasn't overly busy but dealt well with what was thrown at her, with a save to deny Anvegard particularly impressive.
Emily Fox (6/10):
And up and down display which improved in the second half.
Lotte Wubben-Moy (6/10):
Had a few surprisingly off moments on the ball but settled after the break.
Laia Codina (7/10):
Arsenal's most solid defender on the night.
Katie McCabe (6/10):
Beaten far too easily throughout the first half but that changed in the second.
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Beth Mead (8/10):
Made great runs off the ball, delivered deadly set pieces and scored a beautiful goal.
Kim Little (7/10):
Set the tone with how well and how intensely she pressed.
Lia Walti (7/10):
Fantastic strike gave Arsenal the lead. Brought real class to the midfield.
Mariona Caldentey (8/10):
Arsenal's liveliest player throughout, putting Hacken on the back foot with her runs on the ball and creativity.
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Alessia Russo (6/10):
Showed more of the qualities in her passing and link-up play in a deeper role, providing a key pass in the move for Arsenal's second.
Stina Blackstenius (5/10):
A hard-working performance but a nearly one. Spurned a great chance from a Mead free-kick and strayed offside when put through one-on-one.
Subs & Manager
Caitlin Foord (7/10):
Replaced Mead with more than 20 minutes to go and got herself an assist with a nicely weighted cutback to Maanum.
Frida Maanum (N/A):
Didn't have too long to make an impact but did so almost immediately when she scored Arsenal's fourth.
Kyra Cooney-Cross (N/A):
Helped Arsenal see out the final 15 minutes and played a superb pass in the build-up to the fourth goal.
Rosa Kafaji (N/A):
Only on for the last few minutes.
Laura Wienroither (N/A):
Another who made a late cameo appearance.
Jonas Eidevall (7/10):
Blackstenius and Russo weren't as potent a partnership as he might've hoped but bringing Walti into the XI added extra class and experience to the midfield – and that paid dividends in a game as important as this.
