Linkoping Women 0-3 Arsenal Women: Jonas Eidevall’s side ease past their Swedish opposition but could face tough ties in the second round of Champions League qualification

Arsenal have come one step closer to qualifying for the Champions League with a 3-0 win over Swedish Linköping.

After a frustrating first half in which captain Kim Little missed a penalty, goals from Caitlin Foord, Lina Hurtig and Stina Blackstenius in the second half secured the Gunners progress.

Jonas Eidevall’s side have been forced to take the long route to the group stage after finishing third in the Women’s Super League last season. They competed in the first qualifying phase, which consists of two one-legged matches before a two-legged knockout match to reach the groups.

Their victory over Linkoping means they will face Paris FC winners against FC Kryvbas, who play later in the evening. Should the Gunners win that tie, they will face another team in October in two games.

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Manchester United are also in the second qualifying round and both English clubs could face some tough duels, with last year’s runners-up Wolfsburg, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid all being possible opponents.

Linköping is currently second in the Swedish top league, which runs from March to November, and proved a difficult opponent despite the score.

Arsenal had a chance to take the lead in the seventh minute when Frida Maanum’s cross was cleared into the penalty area, but Little’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Cajsa Andersson.

Little then shot just over the bar before Lotte Wubben Moy’s header hit the outside of the post and bounced wide. Arsenal were the side with the upper hand, but they were again thwarted by Andersson as the goalkeeper tapped Maanum’s long-range effort over the crossbar.

It remained Arsenal who carried out most of the attack, with Amanda Ilestedt sending a header over from close range early in the second half.

The breakthrough finally came in the 53rd minute. Little turned around on the right side of the box before sending a cross to the back post, which headed home an unmarked Foord.

Alessia Russo, making her Arsenal debut, then missed a good chance to double Arsenal’s lead when the striker sent a header wide from close range.

On the other hand, Manuela Zinsberger had to be alert to push Yuka Momika’s free kick around the post to keep Arsenal’s lead.

After a period of pressure from the home side, Arsenal found an all-important second goal in the 81st minute when Hurtig tapped in Katie McCabe’s free kick. Blackstenius then completed the game in the 90th minute when she tapped in a Foord cross at the near post.