Arsenal got their European campaign back on track with a convincing 4-1 Champions League win over Valerenga at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

Less than 48 hours after head coach Jonas Eidevall announced his resignation, the Gunners went up against the Norwegians looking to bounce back from a difficult week.

Soundly beaten by German giants Bayern Munich just a week prior, Arsenal's interim head coach Renee Slegers would have been excused if her side came up short once again.

But the hosts came flying out of the blocks and took the lead after less than 90 seconds played.

Some excellent footwork in the left channel beat two Valerenga defenders, and a prodded cross found the feet of Emily Fox to score after the ball had ricocheted off Alessia Russo, who might have been penalised for a handball offence.

The Norwegians didn’t take long to respond with a chance of their own as a speculative effort from the right-hand side of the Arsenal box flew agonisingly wide of the far post.

Mariona Caldentey’s presence in the Arsenal team was almost tangible, as her marauding runs through the heart of the Valerenga defence provided a constant threat all night.

The Spaniard's most notable contribution of the first half came after 20 minutes when an outstanding piece of individual skill saw Beth Mead glide past Valerenga’s Thea Bjelde with ease before perfectly playing in Caldentey, but her brilliantly executed cross somehow floated past Russo.

The Gunners doubled their lead on the half-hour mark thanks to Caitlin Foord’s first-time finish.

The lively Mead expertly positioned her body across the face of the ball after Kim Little had picked up a loose pass, firing straight at Valerenga keeper Tove Enblom, who could only parry straight into the path of Foord as her effort found the roof of the net.

The lead was more than deserved as Arsenal’s relentless pressing strategy forced multiple errors in the Valerenga backline, although some sloppy defending saw Slegers’ side pegged back just five minutes later.

Olaug Tvedten found herself alone inside the Arsenal box as Leah Williamson came across to try and block the shot, with the England star’s efforts in vain as Tvedten found the bottom corner to bring the Norwegians back into the game.

Arsenal’s threat persisted throughout the first period, mustering six shots on target to Valerenga’s meagre two.

Despite a slow start to the second half, which should have seen the away side draw level after some questionable Arsenal defending, the Gunners began to turn the screw shortly after the introduction of Frida Maanum and Steph Catley.

The Norwegian’s mazy run, starting with her first touch, put Russo in on goal, who should have done better with a weak effort into the gloves of Enblom.

As the clock ticked down to the final 20 minutes, Valerenga gained a foothold in the game and might have restored parity late on if it weren’t for the acrobatics of van Domselaar, who was forced to quickly backpedal and claim a speculative effort from distance after Gunners captain Little had lost a duel in midfield with the Dutch stopper off her line.

Caldentey’s brilliant night was capped off with a goal of her own, smashing an unstoppable effort from a tight angle beyond a helpless Enblom before Russo added a late fourth to confirm a comprehensive victory for the Gunners and ease the concerns of temporary boss Slegers.