Arsenal’s WCL hopes in balance after Leuchter’s first-leg double for Ajax

Arsenal face a tricky trip to Amsterdam next week, after a 2-2 draw at home to Ajax put their hopes of reaching the Champions League group stage in the balance.

The Gunners came from behind in the first half, with Stina Blackstenius cancelling out Romée Leuchter’s strike before Kim Little put the home team ahead from the spot. A controversial offside decision denied the Gunners a second penalty and Leuchter ensured that the Dutch side would be returning home with the tie level.

If there was a question mark over Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal last season, it was perhaps whether there was enough resilience and fight when the team conceded first. Just twice, in all competitions, would the Gunners come from behind to secure a win – though they would also rescue a point apiece against Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham.

Whether things have changed would be tested early on against Ajax, a team that are not one of Europe’s elite, but are a well-organised side bolstered by Netherlands internationals Sherida Spitse, who has over 200 caps for her country, and young stars Victoria Pelova and 21-year-old Leuchter.

The home team dominated, their slick passing unhindered by the three changes from Friday night’s 4-0 defeat of Brighton. Both full-backs were swapped for the visit of the Dutch league’s runners-up, with Noelle Maritz and Steph Catley in for Laura Wienroither and Katie McCabe, while Sweden international Lina Hurtig was handed her first start, having joined from Juventus in the summer, ahead of Caitlin Foord.

But it would be Ajax that would carve the better chances with Pelova forcing a save from Manuela Zinsberger early on before Leuchter flicked Chasity Grant’s cross from the right beyond the home side’s goalkeeper