Arsenal finished fifth in the UEFA Women’s Champions League league phase after a 3-0 win over OH Leuven saw them win a seeded place in tomorrow’s play-off draw.

Renée Slegers’ side started well in front of the sold-out stands of the Den Dreef Stadium, they applied pressure going forward and played with pace. 

It was Olivia Smith who broke the deadlock in the 18th minute. Her initial strike was saved by Lowiese Seynhaeve, but her press paid off, and she was able to fire home the rebound to put Arsenal a goal ahead.

Beth Mead doubled the Gunners' lead in the 27th minute when she received the ball from Alessia Russo, cut into the box and struck the ball beautifully, curling it into the side netting to get her third UWCL goal of the campaign.

Arsenal searched for a third before the break but had no such luck, and the home side brought on reinforcements at the start of the second half.

OH Leuven came back out stronger than they’d been, looking more comfortable in possession, and making life difficult for the Gunners. However, after an hour of play, they still hadn’t registered a shot on target.

Arsenal created chances on the counter, often coming through Smith’s speedy runs with the ball. Seynhaeve was certainly busy this evening and did well to save the Gunners’ chances where she could.

Slegers’ first changes of the evening saw Caitlin Foord and Stina Blackstenius come on, with Kim Little and Olivia Smith making way, and Leah Williamson got her first European minutes of the season, replacing Steph Catley.

Just minutes after her introduction, Foord got on the end of a brilliant ball from Kyra Cooney-Cross, striking it from the left and finding the back of the net (went down as an own goal, but good work from both Australians to create the chance).

Emily Fox and Frida Maanum were also introduced, Fox offering some fresh legs on the right-hand side and Maanum with the chance to score with her first touch.

Arsenal, knowing a boost to goal difference was needed, continued looking for goals, and they had opportunities. Blackstenius send her strike wide, and numerous other attempts were stopped by the gloves of Seynhaeve. 

Four minutes of injury time were added, and the UWCL table started to settle, Arsenal finishing just a point behind Bayern Munich, that loss at the Allianz Stadium haunting the Gunners’ automatic qualification chances and handing them to the German side. 

However tonight’s three points see Arsenal finish fifth in the standings, meaning they’ll be seeded for tomorrow’s playoff draw. The Gunners can be drawn against Atlético Madrid, or tonight's opponents, OH Leuven, in a two-legged playoff to reach the quarter-finals.