Tobin Heath joined Arsenal from Manchester United in the summerTobin Heath scored her first goal for Arsenal as the Women’s Super League leaders beat Hoffenheim in the Champions League.
The home side took the lead midway through the first half when Kim Little converted a penalty.
Summer signing Heath made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time when she stabbed in a knockdown from close range.
Vivianne Miedema bundled in a third before Leah Williamson headed in a late fourth.
Relive Arsenal’s win against HoffenheimVictory means Arsenal are second in Group C with three points, behind leaders Barcelona who have six points.
Jonas Eidevall’s side have enjoyed a superb start to the season with five wins from five in the Women’s Super League but their European campaign got off on the wrong foot when they were beaten 4-1 by Barcelona.
This, however, was the perfect response to that thrashing as they recovered from a slow start to dominate Champions League newcomers Hoffenheim.
“All in all it is our strongest performance so far in the season,” said Eidevall.
“The way we moved the ball and our passing game in their half was the best we have had this season. I am very pleased with the performance.”
Little got the ball rolling by scoring her fifth goal of the season from the penalty spot after Beth Mead had been fouled inside the box.
Arsenal were causing their German opponents problems with their high press and duly added a second just before the break when Heath, who joined on a free transfer in the summer having played for Manchester United last season, fired home after Miedema had nodded the ball into her path.
Dutch forward Miedema then got on the scoresheet when she found herself in the right place to bundle in a loose ball after Jordan Nobbs’ superb strike had been kept out by Martina Tufekovic.
Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger ensured her side kept a clean sheet with a big save late on to keep out Katharina Naschenweng’s deflected shot, before Williamson powered home a header in the final few minutes to wrap up a dominant win.
Arsenal fan Heath was delighted to score her first goal for the club and is confident there is more to come from the team.
“It felt really good to get off the mark,” the USA international said.
“Obviously with the whole team bouncing back, getting four goals today was a good response. We showed a lot of character.
“The quality of players here has made it fun and easy and Jonas has brought a style that will take the club to the next level. This team is ambitious to get better and take the next step. We grow with each game.”
Line-upsArsenal WomenFormation 4-2-3-1
1Zinsberger
16Maritz6Williamson3Wubben-Moy15McCabe
10Little12Maanum
9Mead8Nobbs77Heath
11Miedema
1Zinsberger16Maritz6Williamson3Wubben-Moy15McCabe10Little12MaanumBooked at 61mins9MeadSubstituted forParrisat 65’minutes8NobbsSubstituted forIwabuchiat 85’minutes77HeathSubstituted forCatleyat 74’minutes11MiedemaSubstituted forFoordat 74’minutesSubstitutes5Beattie7Catley13Wälti14Parris18Williams19Foord22Schnaderbeck23Iwabuchi29GoldieTSG 1899 Hoffenheim LadiesFormation 4-4-2
1Tufekovic
26Wienroither4Specht31Feldkamp9Naschenweng
22Linder33Dongus7Hagel29Brand
16Billa6De Caigny
1Tufekovic26Wienroither4SpechtBooked at 20mins31Feldkamp9Naschenweng22LinderSubstituted forSteinertat 77’minutes33DongusSubstituted forHarschat 78’minutes7HagelSubstituted forDegenat 90+2’minutes29Brand16BillaSubstituted forLeimenstollat 78’minutes6De CaignySubstituted forCorleyat 45’minutesSubstitutes5Bühler10Corley11Kocsán14Degen17Harsch18Fühner19Steinert21Dick27Leimenstoll28von SchraderReferee:Stéphanie Frappart
Attendance:808
Live TextMatch ends, Arsenal Women 4, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies 0.
Second Half ends, Arsenal Women 4, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies 0.
Foul by Stephanie Catley (Arsenal Women).
Franziska Harsch (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies. Celina Degen replaces Chantal Hagel.
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Jana Feldkamp.
Attempt blocked. Vanessa Leimenstoll (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Judith Steinert with a through ball.
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Jule Brand.
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Martina Tufekovic.
Attempt saved. Nikita Parris (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Caitlin Foord.
Goal! Arsenal Women 4, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies 0. Leah Williamson (Arsenal Women) header from the left side of the six yard box to the top left corner. Assisted by Katie McCabe with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Judith Steinert.
Substitution, Arsenal Women. Mana Iwabuchi replaces Jordan Nobbs.
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Franziska Harsch.
Jule Brand (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Noëlle Maritz (Arsenal Women).
Substitution, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies. Vanessa Leimenstoll replaces Nicole Billa.
Substitution, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies. Franziska Harsch replaces Fabienne Dongus.
Substitution, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies. Judith Steinert replaces Sarai Linder.
Hand ball by Chantal Hagel (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Ladies).
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