Manager Jonas Eidevall says Arsenal will do "everything in our power" to qualify for the group stage of the Women’s Champions League.

The Gunners trail Swedish side BK Hacken 1-0 after the first leg and host them at Meadow Park on Thursday.

Arsenal did not reach the group stage last season after losing out to Paris FC in qualifying and Eidevall is keen to make sure that does not happen again.

"I see us as a Champions League team," said Eidevall. "We need to be in the group stage and that's our ambition and we're going to do everything in order to be that."

Arsenal have already beaten Rangers and Rosenborg to get to this stage of qualifying, and must overcome Hacken to reach the group stage. Last time they did so in the 2022-23 campaign, they reached the semi-finals of the competition.

Eidevall said the hurt of missing out last term will not serve as extra motivation for him and his players.

“Even if we made the group stage last season I don’t think that would change expectations that we have on ourselves,” he said.

“We want to be in the group stage. We have that expectation on us. It’s that pressure we put on ourselves that we need to get into the group stage and that's what we should do.

“I am very positive and optimistic about our chances this season. We are going into the game tomorrow night with really high motivation and we are going to do everything in our power to overturn it.”

Eidevall confirmed that Lina Hurtig, Steph Catley and Leah Williamson will not be part of the squad on Thursday.

Vice-captain Williamson missed Sunday’s Women’s Super League (WSL) opener against Manchester City, which ended 2-2, through concussion protocols and remains sidelined.

“One of the great things with the team we have, we have a lot of big-game players with so many experiences and qualities," said Eidevall.

"Leah is a fantastic player and will be missed by any team, but with the strength of our squad we have enough quality and enough experience to take us through tomorrow.”

Arsenal continue their WSL campaign on Sunday against Leicester (15:00 BST).