it was a disappointing start the women s champions league for arsenal. they were thrashed 4 1 at holders barcelona in their opening group game. craig templeton reports. barcelona had the whole of europe beating to the sound of their own drum last season. arsenal s first challenge was one of their toughest try and beat the champions. but it didn t take long for the catalans to find their rhythm. mariona caldentey so close to giving them the lead. that lead would come soon enough, though. manuela zinsberger saved again. caldentey wouldn t be denied a second time. and barcelona wouldn t be denied a second goal. when you leave uefa player of the year alexia putellas in this much space, there is only going to be one result. if the result was in any question, the second half was only seconds old when it was answered. asisat oshoala, 3 0. arsenal did pull a goal back through frida maanum, but barcelona had the final say. lieke martens given the freedom of thejohan cruyff stadium. 4-1. barce