Mariona Caldentey scored a dramatic 93rd-minute penalty to help Arsenal secure a narrow 1-0 victory in their Champions League opener against HB Køge. The win offered some relief to fans at Meadow Park, but it also exposed ongoing concerns about the team’s ability to convert chances into goals. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities, Arsenal struggled to find the back of the net, leaving questions about their confidence and finishing ability. Manager Renée Slegers looked visibly frustrated after the match, reflecting the team's ongoing challenges in front of goal. The game took place just days before Arsenal's upcoming clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and the team made eight changes to their starting lineup from their previous match against Manchester United. Only centre-backs Leah Williamson and Steph Catley, along with forward Stina Blackstenius, retained their positions. The hope was that this game would help break a mental block affecting several players, but HB Køge proved resilient, showing why they had advanced through the Champions League qualifiers with wins over Riga, Hearts, and PSV Eindhoven. Arsenal started brightly, with Chloe Kelly and Frida Maanum testing HB Køge’s goalkeeper Alberte Vingum early in the game. However, their first-half breakthrough was disallowed due to an offside call involving Blackstenius. The match remained goalless at halftime, underscoring Arsenal's difficulties in the league this season, where they had earned just five points from their first three Women’s Super League games. At halftime, Blackstenius was replaced by Alessia Russo, and Arsenal continued to press. Despite increased pressure, they struggled to break down Køge’s organized defense. New signings Caldentey and Lisa Baum joined the attack in the second half but were unable to find the net. The match also drew criticism for its broadcast on Disney+, with fans noting the unusual presence of a studio dog and strange advertising breaks. Despite 21 shots compared to Køge’s four, only two of Arsenal’s attempts were on target. As the game neared full time, Køge’s substitutes celebrated every Arsenal effort that went wide or was blocked. The deadlock was finally broken in stoppage time when Yukina Sakabe fouled Selina Cerci, allowing Caldentey to score the decisive penalty. While the win provided a much-needed boost, concerns remain for Arsenal as they prepare for their upcoming match against Chelsea, where they will need to show greater clinical precision in front of goal.