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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Beth Lindop

Jonas Eidevall eyeing "huge" Arsenal win as Gunners take on Lyon in Champions League

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall is hoping his side can replicate October's "beautiful" display against Lyon when the two sides meet again in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Thursday.

The Gunners currently sit top of Group C having gone unbeaten in their first four games in the competition this term and a point against Lyon would be enough to see them qualify for the quarter-finals.

The French champions were beaten 5-1 in the reverse fixture on matchday one with goals from Caitlin Foord, Frida Maanum and stricken forward Beth Mead helping Arsenal to victory at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

The thumping win set the tone for what has been an impressive European campaign for the North Londoners, who have lost just once in all competitions this season.

A moment of brilliance from Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema secured Arsenal the win over Juventus last time out and, with the top two teams from each group set to progress to the next round, the Gunners look almost certain to be in February’s quarter final draw.

However, Jonas Eidevall’s side will not take anything for granted against holders Lyon, who are the most successful club in the competition's history having won the title eight times. Sonia Bompastor’s side go into the contest off the back of an emphatic 4-0 win over Zurich on matchday four and will hope to atone for October’s disappointing outing against Arsenal when they travel to the Emirates on Thursday.

Speaking to the media ahead of the clash, Eidevall said: "We can win the group tomorrow and that’s huge for us and we’re going to do our best to try and achieve that."

Beth Mead celebrates scoring Arsenal's fifth goal in their 5-1 win over Lyon with Caitlin Foord, Stina Blackstenius and Katie McCabe as they (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Reflecting on the last meeting between the two sides, the Arsenal boss added: "It was a combination of a very good performance but we also scored at very good times in the game so you get that combination of good times and good performances and everything just aligns that night.

"Of course it’s beautiful to be a part of but we can't really hold on to that forever so it's a new performance tomorrow and we need to be ready for."

The Swedish coach has been handed a welcome injury boost ahead of Thursday's game, with forward Lina Hurtig and club captain Kim Little set to return to the matchday squad after being sidelined with injury.

Should the Gunners fall to defeat against Lyon, they will have another opportunity to guarantee their passage to the next round when they take on Zurich in their final clash of the year next week.

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