Arsenal Women begin their Champions League campaign against HB Køge on Tuesday night with the Danish champions arriving at Meadow Park in impressive European form.
Renée Slegers’ side enter the league phase looking for a response after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
HB Køge, however, should not be treated simply as favourable opening-night opposition.
The Danish side have already navigated three qualifying ties to reach the league phase and possess several players with significant international and European experience.
Supporters can find the kick-off time and broadcast information in our Arsenal Women vs HB Køge TV and live stream guide.
Who are HB Køge Women?
HB Køge are the reigning Danish champions and one of the dominant forces in their domestic game.
They completed a league and cup double last season and have now won the Danish league four times.
This is only their second appearance in the main stage of the Women’s Champions League.
Their previous campaign came in 2021/22, when they were drawn alongside Arsenal, Barcelona and Hoffenheim in the old group-stage format.
Arsenal won both meetings that season.
The Gunners secured a 5-1 victory in Denmark before beating HB Køge 3-0 in the return fixture in England.
Caitlin Foord scored in both games, while Steph Catley and Lotte Wubben-Moy were also among Arsenal’s scorers.
HB Køge came through a difficult qualifying route
HB Køge have already played four Champions League matches this season before arriving in north London.
Their campaign began with a convincing 4-1 victory against Riga FC before they beat Hearts 2-1 to progress from the second qualifying round.
A much tougher test followed against PSV Eindhoven.
HB Køge won the first leg 1-0 in the Netherlands before securing a 1-1 draw at home to advance 2-1 on aggregate.
That sequence means Arsenal are facing a team already accustomed to knockout-pressure European football.
HB Køge have lost only once in their last nine UEFA competition matches and have scored in each of their last 10 European fixtures.
Those numbers should provide a warning against expecting a straightforward night.
Nadia Nadim brings major experience
The most recognisable name in the HB Køge squad is Nadia Nadim.
The experienced Denmark international has played at the highest level across Europe and the United States and gives Kristian Mørch’s side a focal point in attack.
At 38, Nadim remains part of HB Køge’s Champions League squad and featured throughout qualifying.
She is not their only experienced attacking option.
Republic of Ireland international Kyra Carusa scored the winner in HB Køge’s 1-0 first-leg victory over PSV and provides another physical threat through the middle.
Mwanalima Jereko, Macy Schultz and Rikke Madsen further increase Mørch’s options across the forward line.
That variety means Arsenal cannot focus solely on controlling one attacker.
Simone Boye Sørensen anchors the defence
Former Arsenal defender Simone Boye Sørensen adds another familiar element to Tuesday’s fixture.
The Denmark international is now 34 and has played every minute of HB Køge’s four Champions League qualifiers this season.
Her experience will be particularly important if the visitors spend long periods defending around their own penalty area.
HB Køge also have a relatively young supporting defensive group, including Sydney Jones, Maria Uhre and Augusta Callesen.
Breaking that structure down could become Arsenal’s central challenge.
The Gunners have already found compact defensive blocks difficult to unlock this season, something explored in our analysis of Arsenal Women’s attacking problem ahead of HB Køge.
Arsenal must be wary of HB Køge’s European record
HB Køge’s likely approach at Meadow Park is straightforward.
Arsenal should dominate possession and territory, but the Danish champions have shown during qualifying that they are comfortable playing without the ball and protecting narrow advantages.
PSV had more possession during significant periods of their deciding second leg, yet HB Køge still created dangerous opportunities and ultimately protected their aggregate lead.
That makes patience important for Slegers’ side.
Forcing passes through congested central areas could create exactly the transition opportunities HB Køge will want.
Arsenal may instead need greater width and direct running.
Smilla Holmberg strengthened her case for a larger role with her impact against Manchester United, while our Arsenal Women predicted XI against HB Køge examines the changes Slegers could make.
We have also identified three Arsenal changes Slegers should consider against HB Køge following Saturday’s frustrating draw.
Arsenal remain clear favourites
Arsenal will still enter Tuesday night’s game expected to take control.
They have vastly greater Champions League experience and have won nine of their last 11 matches in the competition’s group or league phase.
But HB Køge’s route to this stage shows why complacency would be dangerous.
They are Danish champions, have already survived a difficult tie against PSV and arrive at Meadow Park carrying genuine European momentum.
For Arsenal, the objective is straightforward.
Start quickly, avoid allowing HB Køge to settle into their defensive structure and ensure another evening of territorial dominance translates into goals.
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