Steph Catley admits it was a ‘slog’ as Arsenal beat Koge in the Champions League
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Steph Catley of Arsenal runs with the ball during the UEFA Women's Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Arsenal FC and HB Koge Women at Meadow Park on September 22, 2026 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Steph Catley commented on a 1-0 win for Arsenal against Koge in the Champions League.
It is a year of big aspirations for the club, who have already hit a couple of bumps in the road.
The Gunners had suffered successive stalemates with Crystal Palace (0-0) and Manchester United (1-1) in the Women’s Super League, leaving them four points behind title holders Manchester City.
‘Players coming off the bench are doing massive things’
It seemed that the game against Danish opposition was going the same way on Tuesday evening.
But a second half time stoppage penalty from Mariona Caldentey claimed all three points to spare the team’s blushes at Meadow Park as they began the league phase with the result that they wanted.
“Players coming off the bench are doing massive things, and it was Selina Cerci winning the penalty, it was Mariona coming on and scoring the penalty, so people put in the work in the first half, tire them down, and then those players come in and do exactly what they're supposed to do. Big credit to them.
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Mariona Caldentey of Arsenal celebrates with teammates Alessia Russo, Olivia Smith and Steph Catley after scoring her team's first goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Arsenal FC and HB Koge Women at Meadow Park on September 22, 2026 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Mariona Caldentey of Arsenal celebrates with teammates Alessia Russo, Olivia Smith and Steph Catley after scoring her team's first goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Arsenal FC and HB Koge Women at Meadow Park on September 22, 2026 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
“Very nice to get the result in the end. It was a little bit of a slog and all credit to them. I thought they defended really, really well. They had a clear game plan, they executed, they've got great players.
“Every game in the Champions League is so tough, so the fact we've come away with three points today is really important, and there's lots of positive to take out of it too.”
Praise for the Arsenal fans
“[The fans] have been incredible. They always show up for us, no matter what. Like you said, it is a bit tough at the moment, and we're doing everything we can to work it out and to come out firing for them always. We're always giving 100 per cent.
“We want to do all the right things, and we want to put on our best performance for them always, but they're always there, they show up for us, they're loud, they're proud of us. So, yeah, we just thank them always for that.
Chelsea next for the Gunners
“It's just about focusing on every game as it comes. Obviously, tonight was full focus on this, but big game on the weekend against Chelsea , so we'll be ready for that.”