Arsenal 2-2 Ajax
by Layth Yousif
at Meadow Park

ARSENAL face a tough trip to Holland next week in their bid to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League, following a gripping 2-2 draw against Ajax.

The Meadow Park PA played David Bowie’s Heroes immediately after the final whistle on Tuesday evening — with Jonas Eidevall’s battling side requiring further courage and guile in the crucial winner-takes-all second leg next Wednesday in Amsterdam.

The Gunners’ hopes of progression are in the balance despite showing character in coming from behind. However, so too did the resolute Dutch side, led by Suzanne Bakker, in ensuring it would be honours even after a mesmerising first leg qualifier.

Stina Blackstenius cancelled Romée Leuchter’s early strike, prior to captain Kim Little putting the home team 2-1 ahead from a second-half penalty after Beth Mead was clattered in the box. 

To the disappointment of the majority in an impressive crowd of 2,550 at Boreham Wood’s ground — supplemented by a handful of exuberant travelling Dutch fans who made their delight known — the lively 21-year-old Leuchter then grabbed a leveller to make it 2-2, setting up a mouthwatering second leg in the process. 

Speaking after the match, boss Eidevall said: “It’s going to be an intense game next week, but we have to be brave. If you want to go into the Champions League group stages, you have to win those games. You can either be afraid of those challenges or look forward to them.”

The first test for this indefatigable Arsenal side is the north London derby on Saturday. With an impressive 48,000 tickets already sold, the game is set to smash domestic attendance records.

And to think there were those who scoffed at playing women’s matches at Ashburton Grove. 

No wonder they played Bowie’s Heroes at the end of Tuesday’s match — such is the backing this team can muster. The ever-growing number of supporters of the women’s game deserve nearly as much praise as Eidevall’s side. 

For Gooners, the next week will be as fascinating as it will be fraught.