It has been five years since Arsenal last contested a Champions League last-16 game, but the sight of them still relentlessly passing the ball and driving at the Slavia defence long after the match was already sealed made it clear that they have missed this. In the end, Arsenal moved into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 13-2 win on aggregate. Their fourth consecutive victory was sealed with hat-tricks from player of the match Daniëlle van de Donk and Vivianne Miedema.

The big question for Arsenal this season was how they would fare with the renewed burden and benefit of Champions League football after so long. Two weeks ago, Arsenal travelled to Prague on the back of their 2-1 defeat to Chelsea. Their 5-2 victory in the away leg was an exhibition of their resilience. Miedema was merciless, crushing the home side with a hat-trick by the 29th minute and four goals in total. The Netherlands striker was decisive again on Sunday, scoring the only goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Manchester City, a game notable for Arsenal’s slick passing and relentless pressing.

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With his side already on the verge of a Champions League quarter-final, Joe Montemurro rotated his squad here, making five changes from the team that started against Manchester City. The fact that he was even capable of doing so was a source of joy. Arsenal’s title run last season may have been one of their most dominant in history, yet throughout last season the team was ravaged by injuries and were left with no choice but to focus on one competition.

The mental scars from the previous season’s injury list remain and the mere mention of injuries was enough for Montemurro to flinch and superstitiously thump a wooden table. “There’s a little bit of wood here, so please don’t mention that again,” he said. He was only half-joking. What a comfort it must be to finally be capable of rotating his players yet still watching them soar.

Indeed, as Arsenal immediately took the game by the scruff of its neck, it was clear that the players rotated in were determined to impress. Leonie Maier stood out early on, providing a lively outlet for the midfield as she tore down the right wing and whipped in crosses at will. Eventually, after creating many near misses, Van de Donk opened the scoring from Maier’s third probing low cross. Despite a brilliant performance from so many, the Dutchwoman was the best player on the pitch, both for her brilliantly taken hat-trick and the way she helped Kim Little control the tempo from midfield throughout.

This was also a significant occasion for Jill Roord, who is still looking to make her mark after joining Arsenal this season. Throughout the game she showed her movement, passing and energy, but what will most be remembered is the way she blasted her name on to the scoresheet with a rocket of a half-volley for Arsenal’s third goal.

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And then there was Miedema, one of the best players around. It’s hard to believe that she is only 23. Nominated for the Ballon d’Or last month, Miedema arrived at Boreham Wood one goal away from crossing the half-century mark for Arsenal. Of course, she couldn’t bear to just score one, her hat-trick propelling her to 52 goals in just 50 starts.

“I’ve had a few interesting players I have managed in my career,” said Montemurro. “Viv’s special and we are starting to see her press, the level of defending and the amount of work she is getting through against [Manchester] City and today was fantastic.”

Miedema’s first goal did not come until the final minute of the first half as she calmly slipped past Prague goalkeeper Barbora Votikova and rolled the ball into the net. But as is so often the case, she had the final word, heading home the eighth goal of the night and her seventh goal across the two legs to drive Arsenal into the last eight in the most emphatic manner possible.

It has been a while. The 2006 European Cup winners have not contested the tournament since the 2013-14 season and had to watch other English teams claim the Champions League places. Under the lights at Meadow Park, Arsenal made it clear that they are back and they are determined to make up for lost time.