Frida Maanum’s brace helped Arsenal Women close in on a mouthwatering all-English Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea, after the Gunners beat OH Leuven 4-0 in the first leg of their knockout play-off tie.

Here are three things we learned from a comfortable Belgian night for Renee Slegers’ side.

1. A rare comfortable second leg in prospect

Wednesday night represented Arsenal Women’s first victory in a first leg of a Champions League tie since 2021, against Slavia Prague in the qualifiers. The Gunners have become ‘comeback queens’ in recent seasons, in part due to some sub-par first leg performances, so Renee Slegers’ team can look forward to a much more routine second leg than in previous campaigns.

Asked by the Gooner Fanzine about whether taking a commanding lead in Leuven was a clear aim pre-match, Slegers said: “Yeah, that was really clear for us. Understanding how Leuven wanted to go into the game, of course they have a different entry into the game. They lost 3-0 in December, we won 3-0 in December. 

“They wanted to go a little bit lower and try to avoid those early goals, which gave us the opportunity to be a lot on the ball and change the point of attack, make them work, make them move in their positions and then open things up. And I think that's what we did really well today in both the first and the second half with different personnel.”

2. Five changes, four goals

It was a quiet start to proceedings in Belgium as Arsenal’s changed side grew into the game. Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly both started for the first time after calf and knee injuries respectively, whilst Frida Maanum, Victoria Pelova and Laia Codina also came into the side.

Once Arsenal clicked, it became a long night for the hosts, as the Gunners' attackers found their rhythm. Caitlin Foord and Chloe Kelly picked up three assists between them, and all were a result of swapping flanks with each other- displaying the freedom Slegers allows her players on the pitch.

Frida Maanum netted an impressive brace, and Olivia Smith scored the goal of the night to make it four from four since her red card in the defeat to Manchester United. With the likes of Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius out, Slegers must be delighted with the nature of both result and performance in Leuven.

3. Kim Little notches quadruple century

The Gooner Fanzine enjoyed speaking to Renee Slegers post-match about Gunners captain Kim Little and the pair’s relationship after the evergreen Scot brought up her 400th Arsenal appearance off the bench with eight minutes remaining.

Both are equally humble characters, with Little’s own humility “a big part of who we are right now,” according to Slegers. “I love working with her. Kim is not always someone with a lot of words- I am not either- but when we get into detail and we get into deep discussions we can go on for a long time. I really enjoy it and it's a pleasure to work with a player like Kim.”

“Ten more years Kimmy Little,” sang the 900-strong away section at Den Dreef. The skipper’s contract is up in the summer, but she’s showing no signs of slowing down. Arsenal are reportedly keen for her to stay, and why wouldn’t they be.