Arsenal need to be in Women's Champions League - White

Arsenal did not qualify for the group stages of the Women's Champions League last season

Former Arsenal striker Ellen White has said the club "need" to qualify for the Women's Champions League, and have players capable of challenging for the trophy.

The Gunners trail Swedish side BK Hacken 1-0 after the first leg of their qualifier and host them in the return leg on Thursday.

Jonas Eidevall's team drew their Women's Super League (WSL) opener 2-2 in an entertaining encounter with Manchester City on Sunday, but missed key chances.

"They need to really be attacking and clinical in front of goal," White told BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly podcast.

"They will be buoyant from the performance against City at the weekend. It’s a lot of pressure, but they understand the pressure and the players and staff want to be in the Champions League.

"As a player you want to go up for every trophy possible. The calibre of players they have, they should be challenging for the Champions League and should be in the group stage."

Hacken scored from their only shot on target against Arsenal on Wednesday, and White expects another tough test at Meadow Park.

"We have to give credit to BK Hacken for the progression they have had over the last couple of seasons," she said.

"They got to the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season so you can’t dismiss them.

"Arsenal need to be in the Champions League and fighting on all fronts. It will be a huge disappointment for them not to be in those group stages."

The Gunners must go through two rounds of qualification to reach the group stage of this season's showpiece after finishing third in the WSL last season, and have beaten Rangers and Rosenborg so far.

Champions League 'an absolute priority'

Arsenal reached the semi-finals of the Women's Champions League in 2023, but were beaten by Paris FC in qualifying last season.

Former Gunners defender Jen Beattie - who is a new co-host of the Women's Football Weekly podcast this season - said the hurt of missing out will inspire them on Thursday.

"The disappointment of not making the Champions League in prior seasons sits quite badly with them as a club," she said.

"What they want to do and achieve in all competitions is really obvious. They were massively disappointed with that result [in Hacken].

"The second leg I have no doubt will be completely different. They know where they went wrong.

"It’s massive for them. As a club all focus has to go into this Hacken game and really getting the goals flowing and getting into a rhythm as quickly as possible. Getting through the Champions League is an absolute priority for them."