Arsenal snatched a late 1-0 win over an unlucky Juventus to secure safe passage to the Women’s Champions League knockout phases, and end Juve’s chances of progression.

The result also guarantees that all three English sides – including Chelsea and Manchester City – will feature in the quarter-finals of this year’s competition.

But this was far from routine for Arsenal. Just a week ago, the Gunners were 4-0 victors over their Italian counterparts, vastly superior at both ends of the pitch, but everything in the reverse fixture felt laboured and strained.

Caitlin Foord was denied from point-blank range by a sublime save from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin – formerly of Arsenal – but precious little else worked, prompting the introduction of Stina Blackstenius, Beth Mead and Lina Hurtig to force better openings.

The latter immediately jumped at a pair of headed chances to break the deadlock, only to plant both carelessly wide.

Solace arrived in the 89th minute, though, when Blackstenius’ cross escaped Martina Lenzini and landed neatly at the feet of Hurtig – who joined Arsenal from Juve in 2022 – and she tapped home.

The winner, much like the performance, was scrappy but does guarantee Arsenal are assured of one of the two qualifying spots, progressing from Group C alongside Bayern Munich with two games to spare.

Slegers pleased with impact of subs

Arsenal interim head coach Renee Slegers speaking to UEFA:

“I’m super happy with the result. We’ve had a very intense block of games both in the WSL and Champions League – this was the last one of the block and I’m very happy with the results.”

Speaking about the impact of subs, who have scored three of Arsenal’s last five goals in this competition and four of their last eight overall, Slegers added: “We have a squad with a lot of depth. We know we have starters and we know we have finishers, and it’s been clear to see in a lot of games that the players coming on – the finishers – have decided the game.”

What’s next?

Arsenal will not be in action until December 8 as they now depart for the international break. Their first game back will be against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.

The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday’s newspapers…

DAILY MIRROR

Premier League clubs are said to be growing in confidence that the division will win Friday’s vote on sponsorship rules following a landmark legal challenge from Manchester City.

Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande is said to be leaning towards joining Manchester United rather than Manchester City as interest in him continues to grow.

THE SUN

Jose Mourinho is reportedly attempting to persuade Cristiano Ronaldo to join Fenerbahce at the end of the season.

A-list celebrities are exploring takeovers of EFL clubs after watching Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s success with Wrexham.

DAILY MAIL

Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell is reportedly being targeted by Juventus in a shock potential loan deal as he searches for game time away from Stamford Bridge.

The PDC World Darts Championship is set for a major shake-up starting with the 2025-26 edition and the tournament could leave the iconic Alexandra Palace venue, according to Barry Hearn.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Asher Opoku-Fordjour is set to make his England debut against Japan this weekend as Steve Borthwick looks to blood the next generation of props.

THE TIMES

The RFU is set to lose close to £40 million in its next annual accounts – the largest figure in its history and on a similar level to some Premier League football clubs.

THE GUARDIAN

Japanese Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda said he was interrogated in his pyjamas for several hours by United States border control officials before being let into the country for this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Real Madrid forward Vinícius Junior has spoken about his fight against racism, describing it as an ongoing battle that he is happy to take on, but warning that he alone “can’t fight all that Black people have been suffering”.

THE ATHLETIC

Serie A has become the first top-flight league to introduce an additional transfer window before the inaugural Club World Cup next summer.

DAILY RECORD

Manchester United misfit Christian Eriksen has been told he could be a massive addition to Celtic’s Champions League push amid escalating transfer rumours.

THE SCOTTISH SUN

Britain’s elite clubs spied on Lennon Miller this week. Celtic and Rangers reps were joined by scouts from Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Pep Guardiola has agreed terms on a new two-year contract extension, Manchester City have confirmed.

The 53-year-old’s previous City deal was due to expire at the end of this season.

The new contract takes the Spaniard to over a decade in charge of the club, having joined City in the summer of 2016.

Guardiola has won 18 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League while at the Etihad.

Speculation over Guardiola’s future, rife for several months, had increased considerably after the club confirmed director of football Txiki Begiristain would be leaving at the end of the season.

Begiristain, a long-time ally of Guardiola, is to be replaced by Sporting’s Hugo Viana, a former Newcastle player.

Ending uncertainty over Guardiola’s position prevents further disruption next summer at a time when the club are also due to compete in the Club World Cup.

The news has come at a critical juncture in City’s season. Hampered by injuries, the champions’ form has wavered of late, with the team having lost their last four matches in all competitions, the worst run of Guardiola’s career.

It has also been a difficult campaign off the field with the club facing 115 charges for alleged breaking of Premier League rules following an investigation into their financial affairs.

Guardiola succeeded Manuel Pellegrini at City eight years ago after previous successful spells in charge of Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

‘Pep felt now was not the right time to leave Man City’

Sky Sports News reporter Ben Ransom:

“I think the timing of the news has come as a surprise. We got the sense as this season has gone on that Pep was more inclined to stay.

“This is his ninth season so he’s not going to do another nine, of course not. But for him to say that, to be in that reflective mood, to probably see this team and the way it’s evolved and where they are right now, he had a lot to think about.

“His family are still in Catalonia and Barcelona. That would have been a big draw, taking him back to Spain. But alongside that is the job and the club that he absolutely loves.

“And Pep has a loyalty to Manchester City, which we’ve seen. He clearly loves the job. He loves the challenge of trying to win the Premier League.

“And I think it’s that that’s just tipped him over the edge to want to stay. Especially his good friendship with Txiki Begiristain. We know he’s leaving at the end of the season.

“We know Hugo Viana is coming in this kind of sporting director/director of football role. That is a new relationship. It’s a new era. It’s a new challenge. And I think Pep must have felt that in leaving now, he wasn’t doing the right thing by the club. They need him.

“They need someone they can rely on. And when you look at his record, of course they can rely on Pep.”