(Football news) Arsenal Women strengthened their hold on the 2nd place in Group C of the Women’s Champions League after defeating Denmark’s HB Koge 5-1. The Gunners would be particularly satisfied with the fact that five different players registered themselves on the scoresheet in a dominant display by the London based side.

The score line could have been even more if Nikita Paris would have converted an early penalty after being brought down by Cecile Floe in the 16th minute, but her attempt was saved by Kalyan Marckese. The Gunners could have also scored if Vivienne Miedema’s header could find the back of the net but Marckese yet again brilliantly saved the effort. However, Steph Catley opened the scoring for Arsenal with a precise free kick from 20 yards away in the top right corner, just three minutes before the half an hour mark. 

Leah Williamson missed two opportunities to extend the lead before half time and Frida Leonhardsen-Maanum shot wide as Arsenal could not extend their one goal cushion in the first 45 minutes. HB Kobe had a poor showing, the hosts failed to hit a single shot on target and were utterly dominated by Arsenal who had 79% possession. The second half started in similar fashion to the first as Miedema was denied by Marckese twice in five minutes but Nikita Parris finally doubled the scoring in the 62nd minute, capitalising on Koge’s defence failing to clear the ball.

Caitlin Foord then scored Arsenal’s third goal of the night six minutes later with a header after Nobbs hit the bar, the 27 year old scored her first European goal and would be undoubtedly pleased to open her account. However, HB Koge then had their first real chance of the match as Arsenal’s Catley and Simone Boye Sorensen failed to clear the ball twice as Madelyn Pokorny found the back of the net in the home side’s only shot on target. However, Arsenal substitute Anna Patten scored her side’s fourth goal of the night with a looping effort into the far corner and Jordan Nobbs all but ended the fixture in the 89th minute with a bottom corner shot.

The Gunners have scored 45 goals in 15 games so far and are currently on top of the WSL table, 3 points behind reigning champions Chelsea. Arsenal will now face fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Women’s Super League on Saturday before a reverse fixture against HB Koge on November 17th. 

Also read: Women's Champions League: PSG run riot over Real Madrid with a commanding 4-0 victory