Lionesses star Beth Mead reacts to Arsenal qualifying for Women's Champions League group stages following comeback win over BK Hacken

Following a disappointing 1-0 loss in Sweden in the first leg, Arsenal entered the second leg at the Emirates needing a strong performance to progress. Goals from Lia Walti, Mariona Caldentey, Frida Maanum, and a stunning strike from Mead herself ensured that the Gunners not only erased the deficit but advanced comfortably to the group stages of the Champions League.

After the victory, Mead praised her team's resilience: "We needed it. We needed it tonight. We deserved to win the tie. I wouldn't say it's perfect, there are still a lot of things we can be a lot better at but in comparison to last week, we were sharper, better on the ball, switched the ball, and converted chances in comparison to last week. So good performance all round."

The prospect of more packed crowds watching Arsenal battle some of Europe’s finest teams has spurred them on as the forward went on to share her enthusiasm for more memorable European nights in North London. She added: "I can't wait to play under the lights at the Emirates, it gets a lot of people to watch, it could be an exciting season ahead with the UWCL and obviously the league season."

Mead reflected on her own missed opportunity in the first half—a header she felt she should have scored—but stressed that the team’s ability to convert chances was the key difference between the two legs.

"As a team, we always know we are going to create chances," she said. "Again at the weekend, we had chances and didn't finish them. Today, I missed a header in the first half that I would back myself to score, but we created a lot of chances and put them away. That was the difference in both ties. It's a good start to the season, we wanted three points at the weekend but we're in the group stages of the Champions League which is where we want to be. It's a big goal of ours, but it was a tough game at the weekend."

Mead will now turn her attention back to the WSL, where they will face Leicester City on Sunday. However, before that on Friday, she will learn about Arsenal's group-stage opponents during the UWCL draw.