Beattie sets Arsenal's sights on title
Thursday, October 6, 2011
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Double goalscorers Jennifer Beattie and Danielle Carter were content with Arsenal LFC's elimination of FC Bobruichanka but thoughts are already turning to repeating their 2007 triumph.
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After her two goals helped to seal an impressive elimination of FC Bobruichanka, Jennifer Beattie said Arsenal LFC's ambition was to reclaim the UEFA Women's Champions League title.
The Gunners, winners of the former UEFA Women's Cup in 2007, were 4-0 up from last week's round of 32 first leg in Belarus. They prevailed 6-0 in Borehamwood on Wednesday, Beattie and Danielle Carter both scoring twice with Katie Chapman and Jordan Nobbs also on target.
"We played well over both legs," the versatile Beattie, played in attack, told UEFA.com. "It was a hard game but we played pretty well, it was good to get some goals as well and I'm happy to get through to the next round." Winger Carter added: "I thought we could have had a lot more goals to be honest but 6-0 is a big win, 10-0 on aggregate."
The Munich final is seven months and six tough matches away, but Beattie relishes the competition and is in no doubt about their aim. "We won it in 2007 and we want to do that again," the Scottish international said. "Getting to the semis last year was a massive achievement and hopefully with the youngsters coming through, if we can keep the squad we have, there's no reason we can't get further."
Adding to that youthful image, manager Laura Harvey gave 17-year-olds Angharad James, Bianca Bragg and Melissa Lawley debuts in the second half. "We're a club that has a good youth policy," Harvey said. "It's great to give them a bit of a carrot to say: 'This is what you could become.'"
As for the game itself, Harvey continued: "We are at the back end of our season and we are all quite tired and ready for a breather. It's been difficult but we're just glad to get through – no injuries, no bookings, ten goals and a clean sheet; fantastic."
Next up in the first fortnight of November looks like being Rayo Vallecano – the side Arsenal dramatically eliminated in the 2010/11 round of 16 with a last-gasp goal, having lost 2-0 away – who on Thursday defend a 4-1 lead at home to PK-35 Vantaa. "We know they are a very good side but having played them will give us the benefit because we know them," Beattie said. "We need to show the same attitude we showed today and in every other game."
