Match Progress
17 min: Arsenal maintain pressure as Fox delivers a strong ball into the box, but Leuven clears effectively.
16 min: Arsenal earn a free kick after McCabe is blocked approaching the final third. Kelly takes the set piece, but the ball is directed straight to the goalkeeper.
14 min: Pelova sends a precise ball to Foord, whose pass is overhit, allowing Seynhaeve to regain possession. The teams continue to exchange control.
12 min: Arsenal penetrate the box, but Leuven’s defence is resolute, forcing the attack back to midfield.
11 min: Arsenal recover the ball and patiently build their play. Leuven remain compact and defend well, making it challenging for Arsenal to break through.
9 min: Possession shifts between sides. Leuven advance as Janssen attempts a cross, but Williamson intercepts.
7 min: Leuven, though sometimes underestimated, lead the Belgian league and are in good form. They are currently struggling to maintain possession and mount significant attacks.
6 min: Simon Yates contributes to the ongoing Jaffa Cake debate:
Amazingly this question was settled by a tax court as it was relevant to VAT. The answer is Jaffa Cakes are cakes, the reasoning being that cakes go dry when you keep them too long while biscuits go soggy. (I am not making this up.) Though personally I’ve never really had a problem with Jaffa Cakes surviving long enough to go off, one way or another…
Thank you, Simon, for this valuable information to support my stance. Returning to the match, Leuven have yet to establish dominance.
4 min: Leuven are defending early, clearing a chance in the box. Arsenal continue their attack, but Mannum’s shot is saved.
2 min: Leah Williamson makes her third start this season as she recovers from a knee injury sustained during the summer Euros. Both teams are settling into the game.
Kick-off: Leuven 0-0 Arsenal
Pre-Match Insights and Context
I welcome your input on the Jaffa Cake debate. Recently, I discussed with a friend whether a Jaffa Cake is a cake or a biscuit. I support the cake argument, while she insists it is a biscuit. Please share your views via email to help settle this discussion.
Meanwhile, you can listen to our Women’s Football Weekly podcast as we await the match start. Suzanne Wrack recently interviewed Katie McCabe, offering valuable insights into the Arsenal star’s perspective.
The winner of this two-legged tie will face Chelsea, who have reached the Women’s Champions League semi-finals in the last three seasons but have yet to secure the trophy.
Arsenal previously faced Leuven in December during the group stage, winning 3-0. You can review that match for context.
For those interested in the competition’s new format, a feature is available explaining the changes. This season introduced play-offs after scrapping the group stage, with the top four teams qualifying directly for the quarter-finals and remaining places decided by play-offs.
Team News
Arsenal manager Renée Slegers provided updates on player availability:
“Stina and Beth didn’t travel. Stina still has issues with her calf and Beth needs some time to offload her shin.”
Leuven’s squad is without Veefkind due to suspension.
Leuven Starting XI: Seynhaeve, Everaerts, Biesmans, Mertens, Janssen, Pusztai, Hermans, Kujpers, Reynders, Conijnenberg, Bosteels.
Leuven Bench: Lammertijn, Rispens, Nagy, Papatheodorou, Van Besauw, De Ceuster, Heremans, Neyrinck, Dekker, Van Holderbeke.
Arsenal Starting XI: Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Codina, McCabe, Pelova, Caldentey, Maanum, Kelly, Foord, Smith.
Arsenal Bench: Votikova, Williams, Wubben-Moy, Catley, Holmberg, Cooney-Cross, Little, Russo.
Despite missing key attacking players, Alessia Russo is named on the bench.
Match Introduction
Welcome to the Women’s Champions League play-off first leg between Leuven and Arsenal. The second leg will take place at Arsenal’s home ground next week.
This new play-off system replaces the previous group stage format. The top four teams qualify directly for the quarter-finals, while the remaining teams compete in play-offs to secure their place.
Arsenal enter as defending champions, presenting a significant challenge for Leuven. Today’s match offers Leuven an opportunity to create a gap between themselves and the Gunners. A defeat here would make overturning the result in London a difficult task.
Team news will be provided shortly before the 5:45pm GMT kick-off. Stay tuned for updates and pre-match analysis for what promises to be an exciting encounter.
