Match ends, Arsenal Women 4, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies 0.
Arsenal WomenArsenal Women4TSG 1899 Hoffenheim LadiesTSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies0
Tobin Heath scored her first goal for Arsenal as the Women's Super League leaders beat Hoffenheim in the Champions League.
The home side took the lead midway through the first half when Kim Little converted a penalty.
Summer signing Heath made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time when she stabbed in a knockdown from close range.
Vivianne Miedema bundled in a third before Leah Williamson headed in a late fourth.
Victory means Arsenal are second in Group C with three points, behind leaders Barcelona who have six points.
Jonas Eidevall's side have enjoyed a superb start to the season with five wins from five in the Women's Super League but their European campaign got off on the wrong foot when they were beaten 4-1 by Barcelona.
This, however, was the perfect response to that thrashing as they recovered from a slow start to dominate Champions League newcomers Hoffenheim.
"All in all it is our strongest performance so far in the season," said Eidevall.
"The way we moved the ball and our passing game in their half was the best we have had this season. I am very pleased with the performance."
Little got the ball rolling by scoring her fifth goal of the season from the penalty spot after Beth Mead had been fouled inside the box.
Arsenal were causing their German opponents problems with their high press and duly added a second just before the break when Heath, who joined on a free transfer in the summer having played for Manchester United last season, fired home after Miedema had nodded the ball into her path.
Dutch forward Miedema then got on the scoresheet when she found herself in the right place to bundle in a loose ball after Jordan Nobbs' superb strike had been kept out by Martina Tufekovic.
Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger ensured her side kept a clean sheet with a big save late on to keep out Katharina Naschenweng's deflected shot, before Williamson powered home a header in the final few minutes to wrap up a dominant win.
Arsenal fan Heath was delighted to score her first goal for the club and is confident there is more to come from the team.
"It felt really good to get off the mark," the USA international said.
"Obviously with the whole team bouncing back, getting four goals today was a good response. We showed a lot of character.
"The quality of players here has made it fun and easy and Jonas has brought a style that will take the club to the next level. This team is ambitious to get better and take the next step. We grow with each game."
Line-ups
Arsenal Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Zinsberger
- 16Maritz
- 6Williamson
- 3Wubben-Moy
- 15McCabe
- 10Little
- 12MaanumBooked at 61mins
- 9MeadSubstituted forParrisat 65'minutes
- 8NobbsSubstituted forIwabuchiat 85'minutes
- 77HeathSubstituted forCatleyat 74'minutes
- 11MiedemaSubstituted forFoordat 74'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Beattie
- 7Catley
- 13Wälti
- 14Parris
- 18Williams
- 19Foord
- 22Schnaderbeck
- 23Iwabuchi
- 29Goldie
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Tufekovic
- 26Wienroither
- 4SpechtBooked at 20mins
- 31Feldkamp
- 9Naschenweng
- 22LinderSubstituted forSteinertat 77'minutes
- 33DongusSubstituted forHarschat 78'minutes
- 7HagelSubstituted forDegenat 90+2'minutes
- 29Brand
- 16BillaSubstituted forLeimenstollat 78'minutes
- 6De CaignySubstituted forCorleyat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Bühler
- 10Corley
- 11Kocsán
- 14Degen
- 17Harsch
- 18Fühner
- 19Steinert
- 21Dick
- 27Leimenstoll
- 28von Schrader
- Referee:
- Stéphanie Frappart
- Attendance:
- 808
Match Stats
Home TeamArsenal WomenAway TeamTSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies
- Possession
- Home51%
- Away49%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away4
- Corners
- Home8
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away5
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Arsenal Women 4, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies 0.
Post update
Foul by Stephanie Catley (Arsenal Women).
Post update
Franziska Harsch (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies. Celina Degen replaces Chantal Hagel.
Post update
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Jana Feldkamp.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Vanessa Leimenstoll (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Judith Steinert with a through ball.
Post update
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Jule Brand.
Post update
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Martina Tufekovic.
Post update
Attempt saved. Nikita Parris (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Caitlin Foord.
Goal!
Goal! Arsenal Women 4, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies 0. Leah Williamson (Arsenal Women) header from the left side of the six yard box to the top left corner. Assisted by Katie McCabe with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Judith Steinert.
Substitution
Substitution, Arsenal Women. Mana Iwabuchi replaces Jordan Nobbs.
Post update
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Franziska Harsch.
Post update
Jule Brand (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Noëlle Maritz (Arsenal Women).
Substitution
Substitution, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies. Vanessa Leimenstoll replaces Nicole Billa.
Substitution
Substitution, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies. Franziska Harsch replaces Fabienne Dongus.
Substitution
Substitution, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies. Judith Steinert replaces Sarai Linder.
Post update
Hand ball by Chantal Hagel (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies).
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