'Proud' Kim Little hails Arsenal turnaround after emphatic UEFA Women's Champions League win in Belgium

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Arsenal have got one foot in the quarter-finals of the Women's UEFA Champions League after beating OH Leuven 4-0 on Wednesday. Chelsea lie in wait in the last eight. The Gunners put in an emphatic display in Belgium, with Frida Maanum bagging a brace. There was more to celebrate as well, as Kim Little made history by making her 400th appearance for the club, something she says she is "proud" of.

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Kim Little believes Arsenal have shown their poor start to the season is long behind them.

Her comments come after the defending champions beat OH Leuven in the first leg of their Women's UEFA Champions League knock-out play-off.

The Gunners, who stunned Manchester City in the WSL on Sunday, put in a dominant display in Belgium, netting two goals either side of the break.

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It was also a night to celebrate for Little, who made her 400th appearance for the club as she came off the bench during a 4-0 win, a fourth successive victory for Arsenal.

This win means they take a huge step towards a quarter-final clash with Chelsea, and Little reckons they have come a long way in recent weeks.

"Sometimes you don't always get it right through seasons," Little told Disney+. "At the start, we obviously didn't.

"But we've learned from those moments. We've built as a team on and off the pitch to try and drive the changes that you see on the pitch.

"Ultimately, what we're doing on a daily basis, the application of every player and staff member, is just showing.

"And it's fun. It's so enjoyable to play. I think [we have turned a corner]. Arguably we have drawn too many games in the league and that's a frustration of ours.

"Ultimately, we can only put that right now, and that's what we're doing and that's how we'll continue to see out the season."

The game came only two weeks after the two teams met in the league phase. On that occasion, Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners.

A similar result was expected this time around, despite a raft of changes that included resting Alessia Russo.

Leah Williamson made her first start of the campaign after injury though, while Chloe Kelly also returned.

And it took the visitors just 22 minutes to break the deadlock, with Frida Maanum converting from Caitlin Foord's delicious cross.

The Norwegian should have doubled the lead when she skewed wide from near the penalty spot shortly afterwards. But the second would arrive before half-time as Smith's clever first-time finish found the far bottom corner after good work by Kelly.

Arsenal continued to dominate after half-time, with Victoria Pelova seeing a long range effort whistle past the post.

Minutes later, it was 3-0 as Foord once again teed up Maanum, a with the forward tapping home from the edge of the six yard box from another excellent cross.

Daphne van Domselaar made a rare yet outstanding save at the other end when she denied Alixe Bosteels who took aim from distance.

That was followed by substitute Russo hooking home the Gunners' fourth, on a comfortable night for the London team.

It was at that point that Little made history, replacing Smith for the final eight minutes.

When asked about bringing up such a landmark, she said: "You don't count when you're playing, but I was told before that I was reaching 400 soon.

"It's so special. I've loved every minute of those 400 appearances, playing for this club.

"Leah said some nice words in the huddle which made me emotional. I'm proud."

In the end, the only blot on Arsenal's copy book was Smith picking up a yellow card that will rule her out of the second leg, which will take place at Meadow Park next Wednesday.

Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

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