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Arsenal thrash BK Häcken to secure UWCL group stage spot

Arsenal booked their place in the UEFA Women's Champions League group stage after a 4-0 victory over BK Häcken at Meadow Park saw them win their qualifying tie 4-1 on aggregate.

The win means three English teams will be in the continental tournament's group stage.

Manchester City cruised past Paris FC with an 8-0 aggregate victory, while Chelsea automatically qualified for the group stage following their Women's Super League (WSL) title victory last season.

Arsenal headed into the tie needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit after Tabitha Tindell secured the narrow lead for their Swedish opponents.

Lia Wälti sent a rocket strike into the back of the net in the 22nd minute to level the aggregate score before summer signing Mariona Caldentey secured the hosts the lead following a scramble in the box.

BK Häcken were not making it easy for Arsenal, who are the only English team to have won the Champions League in 2006-07.

Canadian forward Clarissa Larisey was causing several problems for Arsenal's back line while left-back Katie McCabe was struggling for dominance, being overrun by Häcken's fast-paced counterattack.

Beth Mead then extended Arsenal's lead with an incredibly well-controlled volley in the second half.

Stina Blackstenius also had the ball in the back of the net, however the goal was ruled offside.

Substitute Frida Maanum secured Arsenal's fourth goal of the evening, ensuring the north London side would return to Champions League football after failing to make it past the qualifiers last season.

"I think it was really important given that we built the squad to get into this position. We wanted to be in here now to compete in the group stage, to compete in the league," Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall said.

"One part of the season starts now. I'm really happy because it's not an easy path going in the league path. It's a tough start to the season.

"You play knockout football; it's small margins. This was a tough opponent in Häcken, but it was also a tough placement with playing at the Emirates against Man City in between the two games.

Arsenal started their qualifying campaign strong with a 6-0 win over Rangers before securing a 1-0 win over Rosenborg to complete their first round of qualifiers.

"I think we've been growing with our performances," Eidevall added. "We got the results that we wanted here. Now really the season starts so we can't relax. The season starts now for us here, and we are in all four competitions that we want to be in, and now we need to make the most out of it."

The three English teams will find out their group-stage opponents during the draw on Sept. 27.