Mariona Caldentey scored a stoppage-time penalty to secure victory for a wasteful Arsenal at home to Danish side HB Koge in the first game of their Women’s Champions League campaign.<\/p>\n
Arsenal, who had struggled in front of goal against a side made up of several part-time players, were heading towards a disappointing draw when Caldentey scored from the spot after Selina Cerci was tripped in the box.<\/p>\n
The Gunners earlier thought they had scored when Chloe Kelly sent an outside-of-the-boot prod past Alberte Vingum, but her strike was ruled out after a VAR check deemed Stina Blackstenius to have been in an offside position and in the goalkeeper’s eyeline.<\/p>\n
But otherwise Arsenal looked toothless all too often, enjoying dominance of the ball but unable to find a way through.<\/p>\n
The strength of the defensive performance from the visitors made a difference, too, with the energetic half-time celebrations of Koge boss Kristian Morch highlighting the determined nature of his side’s display.<\/p>\n
Arsenal lacked aggression in the final third and were often sloppy in possession, gifting opportunities for the Danish side to press and snatch the ball.<\/p>\n