UEFA Women's Champions League Arsenal 1 Juventus 0 Full time

Arsenal beat Juventus 4-0 in their first meeting in Italy last week

Lina Hurtig scored a dramatic late goal to seal victory over Juventus as Arsenal qualified for the Women's Champions League quarter-finals with two group games to spare.

It was a game that had largely infuriated Arsenal until Hurtig poked home a cross from a few yards out late on at Emirates Stadium.

Interim manager Renee Slegers remains unbeaten during her seven matches in charge - winning six of them - and this marks a significant turnaround.

"It’s the ultimate end to a very busy and intense block we have had," said Slegers.

"It is the perfect ending for this block. It means a lot. All of the players totally deserve it.

"It gives us some breathing space in the last two [group] games as well."

Having seen Valerenga draw 1-1 with Bayern Munich in Group C's earlier match, Arsenal knew a victory would seal their place in Europe's last eight.

The Gunners had been wasteful prior to the winner, with Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum having some of the best chances, while England captain Leah Williamson headed over the bar from a corner.

The visitors, beaten 4-0 by Arsenal in Italy last week, barely threatened Slegers' side until late on when Arianna Caruso's shot was heading towards the bottom corner before it was tipped behind by goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.

Hurtig had a golden opportunity to grab the winner earlier on but could not react quick enough as a cross came in and she headed the ball over the bar from a few yards out.

But the substitute made up for it shortly afterwards as she found herself in the right place at the right time to seal a significant win for this rejuvenated Arsenal side.

Remarkable turnaround under Slegers continues

On a bitterly cold night in London, Arsenal took a while to warm-up and it was a slow first half.

Both teams had early spells of possession but Juventus were happy to sit back and try to hit Arsenal on the counter-attack as the game wore on.

They were almost successful when appeals for a penalty by Arsenal went unanswered - Foord going down under a challenge by Paulina Krumbiegel – and Juventus’ Sofia Cantore had a shot deflected into the arms of goalkeeper Van Domselaar.

Minutes earlier, Arsenal had come closest when Krumbiegel gave the ball away needlessly on the edge of the box and Maanum fired over the bar after a quick one-two with Alessia Russo.

Knowing victory would secure a spot in the quarter-finals, Arsenal were expected to come out the blocks quicker in the second half and did so, as Foord drilled the ball dangerously across the face of goal minutes after the restart.

Slegers’ side maintained their pressure and missed several chances to take the lead when Maanum again struck wide after good work from Mariona Caldentey down the left, before Foord had a shot scrambled off the line from a corner.

The hosts pushed and pushed for a winner which threatened not to come until Hurtig’s introduction gave them the outlet they were looking for inside the box.

This latest victory, the sixth of Slegers’ unbeaten tenure, shows just how much progression Arsenal have made since former manager Jonas Eidevall resigned in October.

Juventus manager Max Canzi said afterwards: "If in two games in a week you concede five goals and you don’t score any, I wouldn’t be honest if I said we were on the same level.

"Arsenal are on a higher level compared to us. I am very proud of my team. It was very difficult to qualify but we can look at a future with a lot of positivity."

Eidevall's side had been beaten heavily by Bayern Munich and had largely been written off in the Women’s Super League and Women’s Champions League.

Now, they are a side full of confidence and building momentum, and this will only strengthen calls for Slegers to take on the role permanently as Arsenal continue to search for a managerial replacement.