"Arsenal will face a quick reunion with Leuven in the Women's Champions League play-offs, with a mammoth London derby against Chelsea awaiting them if they win that tie. The Gunners missed out on a top-four finish in the league stage despite earning a routine 3-0 victory in Belgium on Wednesday, due to Bayern Munich beating Valerenga by the same scoreline. Having finished fifth of 18 teams, the holders earned a seeded place in the two-legged play-offs, and in Thursday's draw, they were paired with Leuven."
"Yeah, it was a special night. So two records. It was us, the champions of Europe, playing against a team making their debut. And I think the way they have been performing, it's really impressive. It says everything about how the game is growing. A team from Belgium is doing this and they're also through to the knockout phase. So I think it's a special moment, a big moment for women's football."
Arsenal finished fifth in their Champions League group after a 3-0 win in Belgium, but Bayern Munich's simultaneous 3-0 victory over Valerenga denied a top-four finish. As group holders the team secured a seeded place in the two-legged play-offs and were drawn to face Leuven. A potential quarter-final could produce a London derby with Chelsea, who clinched automatic qualification. Other play-off ties include Manchester United versus Atletico Madrid, Wolfsburg versus Juventus, and Paris FC versus Real Madrid, with possible subsequent matchups against Bayern, Lyon, or a Barcelona–Real Madrid clash. About 1,000 Arsenal fans travelled to Leuven where a record crowd of 9,825 attended.
Read at Soccer News
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