Sport

Arsenal vs BK Hacken: Preview, predictions and lineups

September 26, 2024

Arsenal return to UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying action on Thursday night against Swedish side BK Hacken.

The Gunners were edged 1-0 by their opponents in the first leg of this fixture last week, so have given themselves everything to do at Meadow Park midweek. Tabby Tindell scored the only goal of the game with a little over 10 minutes left to play at the Bravida Arena last time out.

Over the weekend, Jonas Eidevall’s side kicked off their 2024/25 WSL campaign with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium. However, they will need a more resilient defence display against BK Hacken if they’re to overturn the one-goal aggregate deficit.

Here is 90min’s guide to Arsenal’s Champions League clash against BK Hacken.

Arsenal	BK Hacken
Arsenal 2-2 Manchester City – 22/09/24	BK Hacken 1-0 Arsenal – 18/09/24
BK Hacken 1-0 Arsenal – 18/09/24	Norrokoping 0-1 BK Hacken – 14/09/24
Arsenal 1-0 Rosenborg – 07/09/24	BK Hacken 4-0 AIK – 07/09/24
Arsenal 6-0 Rangers – 04/09/24	Pitea 0-0 BK Hacken – 31/08/24
	Rosengard 1-0 BK Hacken – 26/08/24

Country	TV Channel/Livestream
United Kingdom	Arsenal.com

Leah Williamson missed Arsenal’s opening WSL game due to concussion / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

Long-term absentee Victoria Pelova remains unavailable for this fixture after suffering an ACL injury earlier in the summer. Defender Amanda Ilestedt announced the happy news of the birth of her child last week, but it is not yet known when she will return to the UK and begin training with the team.

Lina Hurtig and Steph Catley both missed the team’s opening game of the WSL against Manchester City over the weekend due to injury. Leah Williamson was also sidelined due to concussion protocol, but could be available for selection again on Thursday night.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs BK Hacken

Arsenal predicted lineup vs BK Hacken (4-2-3-1): Zinsberger; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Codina, McCabe; Little, Cooney-Cross; Mead, Kafaji, Caldentey; Russo

Stine Larsen is a long term absentee due to a cruciate ligament injury and maternity leave / Gunnar Hoffsten/GettyImages

Lisa Lowing and Hikaru Kitagawa both returned to the BK Hacken squad for the reverse fixture last week. However, Stine Larsen has only recently returned to training following a cruciate ligament injury and maternity leave, so it is not yet known whether the forward is ready to feature.

Thursday’s visitors will also be without Katariina Kosola as she continues rehabilitation after surgery on her foot. Monica Jusu Bah sustained a thigh injury at the end of last month and is still sidelined.

BK Hacken predicted lineup vs Arsenal

BK Hacken predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Falk; Wijk, Rybrink, Ostlund, Junttila-Nelhage; Sorensen, Curmark; Tindell, Anvegard, Bergstrom; Larisey

Eidevall’s side will need to significantly raise their game if they’re to have any hope of progressing into the group stage of the competition. They will no doubt be haunted by the early qualifying exit against Paris FC last season, and will want to avoid a similar fate this time around.

With the home advantage on their side, everything points to a more complete performance from the Gunners this time around. But they will ideally need to avoid conceding, as well as then scoring two of their own to secure a place in the next round.