Arsenal kicked off their campaign without Jonas Eidevall in style, securing a convincing 4-1 victory over Vålerenga in the Women's Champions League. While the performance may not have been the most exhilarating or self-assured, the important thing was that Arsenal achieved the desired result, claiming their first three points in the group stage after a previous loss to Bayern Munich. The match was marked by a focus on securing the win rather than dominating possession, as the hosts were eager to bounce back and make a statement in the competition.

Mikel Arteta commended Arsenal's increasing maturity following their impressive victory over Paris Saint-Germain, a win that marked a strong start to their Champions League campaign. The Gunners took control of the match with a header from Kai Havertz and a well-placed free-kick from Bukayo Saka, who served as stand-in captain for the game. This victory was further highlighted by the debut of summer signing Mikel Merino, who returned to action after recovering from a shoulder injury. Arteta expressed pride in his team's performance, emphasizing their ability to compete against one of the best teams in the world.