Arsenal eased into the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League and set up a tie with rivals Chelsea with a second-leg play-off win over OH Leuven.

The Gunners had done the job in Belgium last week, winning 4-0 in the first leg, so were able to take their foot off the gas a little at Meadow Park.

England striker Alessia Russo broke the deadlock on the night when she spun away from her defender and dribbled the ball over the line midway through the first half.

She confirmed victory later on with another smart turn to make it 7-1 on aggregate, after Mariona Caldentey had scored from the penalty spot for Arsenal.

OH Leuven, who had threatened before, celebrated enthusiastically when they equalised through Sara Pusztai in the first half but it ultimately proved to be ineffective.

There was a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) delay when the goal was originally ruled out for offside in the build-up, but Pusztai had coolly slotted away Kim Everaerts' pull-back inside the six-yard area.

The wind swirled violently and heavy rain impacted Arsenal's play.

They were sloppy in possession and error-prone in defence, giving away chances for OH Leuven, the best of which fell to Jade Conijnenberg when she raced through one-on-one with goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar but could not take advantage.

It was a forgettable performance but Arsenal did what they needed to do to ensure there was no miracle turnaround, and they bounce into the last eight.

Women's Super League rivals Chelsea await in the quarter-finals on 24-25 March, a tie that promises to excite as two of England's heavyweights go head to head.

Renee Slegers made three changes to the side who won the first leg so convincingly and would no doubt have made more if injuries had not limited her options.

She was able to rest key players Emily Fox and Leah Williamson, while Olivia Smith could serve her suspension in a timely fashion.

It was a clunky performance, hampered further by the weather until Caldentey's goal put the game to bed.

Arsenal have been in top form since the new year, recording big victories over Manchester City and Chelsea in the Women's Super League, as well as demonstrating their superiority over Belgian opponents Leuven in Europe.

It has helped them build momentum at the right time, just as they begin to gear up for a busy schedule in the coming months.

The defending European champions were handed a relatively comfortable tie in this knockout stage play-off but they had to turn things around in the league phase to make it through, so it has not been as easy as it may appear on paper.

But as they demonstrated last season, on their way to a historic second European title, Arsenal often rise to the occasion when they are presented with a challenge.

They will back themselves against a Chelsea side who have struggled to reach the heights they did last season, and who Arsenal beat at Stamford Bridge in January.

Slegers has praised her side's defensive displays this month and has urged them to cling on to the momentum they have built, and this performance should not disrupt that.

As for Leuven, they gave a good account of themselves in London against superior opposition and their travelling fans were given a goal to celebrate as reward.

Arsenal host Bristol City in the fifth round of the Women's FA Cup on Sunday, 22 February (13:00 GMT) before the international break.

OH Leuven return to Belgium to take on Standard Femina in their next league match on Saturday, 21 February (18:00 GMT).

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