Arsenal targeting top-four spot in Women’s Champions League ahead of Leuven trip

Arsenal are targeting a spot in the top four of the Women’s Champions League table ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Belgium to face OH Leuven.

The reigning champions currently sit in eighth place – which would put them into a play-off – with only the leading four teams qualifying directly for the quarter-finals.

But the standings could not be closer, with Arsenal only one point behind Juventus in fourth going into the final round of group matches.

Renee Slegers’ side are on a good run, having won all their matches in December so far, and the Dutchwoman said: “Five games this block in different competitions and the first three games we’re of course happy with the results, and now we go into tomorrow.

“It’s an important one for us, it’s the last one in the Champions League and we go for three points. It’s not within our hands but we’ll try to chase those top four positions.

“But Leuven will have to go for something as well so it’s going to be an interesting game. All games will be played at the same time so scenarios can change in an instant.

“From half-time onwards and second half we’ll know more about the standings and what’s still possible, if it needs goals or something else.”

Leuven are not yet guaranteed a spot in the play-offs as the last side in the top 12.

The only team that could overtake them are Valerenga, who take on sixth-placed Bayern Munich, while leaders Barcelona and Lyon play Paris FC and Atletico Madrid, respectively.

Real Madrid will have high hopes of pushing into the top four with victory over already-eliminated Twente.