Arsenal 1-0 Juventus UWCL: Player ratings as Gunners edge past Juve
By Ali Rampling
Arsenal edged closer to a place in the Champions League quarter finals with a 1-0 win over Juventus at the Emirates on Wednesday evening.
Having been left frustrated in the reverse fixture in Turin a fortnight ago after being held to a 1-1 draw despite dominating for large periods, Arsenal came out on top this time around thanks to Vivianne Miedema's first half goal.
The victory leaves the Gunners top of Group C with two games left to play.
Juventus were second best in the first half, but had the game's first sighting of goal, Arianna Caruso forcing Manuela Zinsberger into a great save with her feet from close range.
It was then the turn of Pauline Peyraud Magnin to be called into action, the Juventus stopper rushing from her goal line to prevent Caitlin Foord rushing clean through on goal after being superbly picked out by Laura Wienroither.
Stina Blackstenius had the ball in the back of the net, only to be correctly judged to be offside - but it was a warning for Juventus, and after 16 minutes the Gunners took the lead.
Leah Williamson sent Blackstenius scurrying in behind the Juventus backline, and the Swedish forward picked out Miedema at the backpost, who expertly found the top corner with a side foot volley.
Having been second best in the opening 45, Juventus upped the intensity in the second half without ever really creating anything clear cut. Foord saw a near post effort saved by Peyraud Magnin, while substitute Valentina Cernoia's curling free kick floated narrowly over as the Gunners edged to victory.
Arsenal (4-3-3)
GK: Manuela Zinsberger - 6/10 - Produced a great save with her feet to keep out Caruso and prevent Juventus taking an early lead.
RB: Lauren Wienroither - 8/10 - Almost got Foord through on goal with a stunning pass in the first half. Heavily involved going forward and defensively.
CB: Leah Williamson - 7/10 - Making her first start since September, played Blackstenius in behind with an excellent, defence-splitting pass for Arsenal's opener. Strong in possession, solid defensively, replaced after an hour.
CB: Lotte Wubben-Moy - 7/10 - Strong and steady, good distribution.
LB: Steph Catley - 7/10 - Saw an early Juventus chance come down the Arsenal left, but otherwise kept Bonansea quiet and linked up well with Foord.
CM: Lia Walti - 7/10 - Tidy in possession and swept up and shielded the back four well.
CM: Frida Maanum - 6/10 - Smart in possession without ever being able to cause havoc with one of her trademark, bursting runs as she has done so often in recent months.
CM: Vivianne Miedema - 8/10 - Opened the scoring in style, finding the top corner with a superb side foot volley after drifting unmarked to the back post. Was the focal point for Arsenal, the Gunners frequently playing through her and Miedema merrily carving open the Juventus backline with a selection of through balls.
RW: Katie McCabe - 6/10 - Kept her place in a more advanced role after a spell at full-back. Full of running, but the quietest of Arsenal's front three.
ST: Stina Blackstenius - 6/10 - Saw a goal ruled out for offside, before superbly finding Miedema at the back post for Arsenal's opener. Replaced with 11 left to play.
LW: Caitlin Foord - 7/10 - Tested Peyraud Magnin with a near post effort in the second half, and a constant danger with her willingness to drive at the Juventus backline.
Substitutes
SUB: Rafaelle (63' for Williamson) - 6/10
SUB: Jordan Nobbs (79' for Blackstenius) - 6/10
SUB: Jen Beattie (90' for Foord) - N/A
Juventus (4-3-3)
GK: Pauline Peyraud Magnin - 7/10 - Out quickly and bravely to beat Foord to the ball in the first half and deny the Arsenal forward an almost certain opener. Saved well again from Foord in the second half.
RB: Martina Lenzini - 6/10 - Had a big test against the lively Foord, and came out second best on a few occasions.
CB: Cecilia Salvai - 6/10 - In the thick of the action in the first half as Juventus attempted to stem wave after wave of Arsenal attack, quieter in the second.
CB: Linda Sembrant - 6/10 - Question marks over Sembrant and Salvai regarding who lost track of Blackstenius in the build up to the Arsenal goal.
LB: Lisa Boattin - 7/10 - Produced a great recovery run and block to deny Blackstenius in the first half, typifying a solid defensive display
CM: Sofie Junge Pedersen - 6/10 - Efficient in possession without ever setting the game alight. Not close enough to Miedema for Arsenal's winner
CM: Julia Grosso - 7/10 - Lively, energetic and tidy in possession.
CM: Arianna Caruso - 6/10 - Almost opened the scoring after being heavily involved in the build up play, but saw an effort well saved. Replaced in the second half.
RW: Barbara Bonansea - 4/10 - Largely kept quiet by Catley and replaced at half time.
ST: Cristiana Girelli - 5/10 - Marked out of the game for the most part by Williamson, Wubben-Moy and Rafaelle.
LW: Lineth Beerensteyn - 5/10 - Unable to cause the Arsenal backline too many issues, particularly up against the impressive Wienroither, as the Juventus threat was largely nullified.
Substitutes
SUB: Valentina Cernoia (46' for Bonansea) - 5/10
SUB: Sofia Cantore (65' for Cantore) - 5/10
SUB: Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir (79' for Junge Pedersen) 5/10
SUB: Agnese Bonfantini (89' for Girelli) - N/A