Hello, Arsenal Women aficionados!
Renée Slegers’ team recorded a second win in as many league games as they put five past West Ham, courtesy of goals from Frida Maanum, Stina Blackstenius, Caitlin Foord and Alessia Russo (2).
Despite falling behind following an unfortunate own goal scored by Daphne van Domselaar, the win was never in doubt as we made our way back into the game and pinned West Ham into their own half until the final capitulation.
CONCEDING FIRST, AGAIN
Once again, we allowed our opponents to take the lead in the game, and while against the London City Lionesses it was through a penalty, this time it was an uncharacteristic mistake by Daphne van Domselaar that gave West Ham an unexpected goal. The Dutch goalkeeper miscalculated the ball’s trajectory on a long ball from Martínez and went for the catch instead of tipping the ball over the bar, but since the heavy rain made it slippery, the ball slipped onto the post, hit van Domselaar’s arm and went into the net.
I am one-hundred percent sure we won’t be seeing another own goal like this anytime soon, but conceding first in the first two games of the season is not ideal, especially considering how those goals came: both were individual mistakes, and both came early in the game.
I am sure it’s nothing but a coincidence, but perhaps Renée Slegers might want to check again with the players and the staff, and make sure that everyone is fully ready and focused from the kick-off. Although we could afford to fall behind to the London City Lionesses and to West Ham, we might not have this luxury against superior teams – not to mention the extra energies we needed to win both games.
NEW FRONT LINE? NO PROBLEMS!
I bet very few were expecting to see Olivia Smith on the bench, on Friday night, after her wonderful goal and the stellar performance in the previous game. Yet, Renée Slegers decided to hand a start to Caitlin Foord, instead, and the Australian responded with a well-taken goal, plus another one incorrectly disallowed.
On top of that, Renée Slegers was forced into another change ahead of the away game at West Ham as Chloe Kelly picked up a knock and had to make way for Beth Mead.
Basically, we took the pitch at West Ham with a brand-new attacking line, yet our fluidity and threat didn’t really suffer: Beth Mead provided the assist for Frida Maanum’s leveller, and towards the end Alessia Russo – the only “survivor” in our front three – scored a brace to put the game to bed.
I already mentioned it in my previous blog, but having the opportunity to pick between Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius, Caitlin Foord, Beth Mead, Olivia Smith and Chloe Kelly is a luxury we never had in the past, and might well be our superpower, this season.
Injuries and back luck aside, Renée Slegers will be allowed to rotate her front line and pick the most suitable player for each occasion and opponent – not to mention sparing them some minutes here and there, when the game state will allow it.
I must admit that I wasn’t very understanding of the choices made by the club in the past few transfer windows, but all of a sudden everything makes sense, once again.
I do regret one thing, though: Vivianne Miedema’s departure. I believe that, had Renée Slegers already been in charge last summer, she would still be around. And she would thrive in this environment.
WAITING FOR THE UWCL
Well, it feels good not to go through all the qualifying rounds, for a change.
With the draw scheduled for Friday this week, the excitement is starting to build-up and all the eyes will be on the holders (yes, that’s us!).
While last campaign was a fairytale or a surprise, whatever you want to call it, this year’s UWCL will be a completely different story – both because we’re not an outsider anymore, but also because the format is different.
I do believe that a “league phase” will benefit us and allow the team to gel and get ready for the knockout phase, but it’s a first for everyone and football is known for its shocking upsets.
I am genuinely curious to see how we will navigate through the league phase, and who will fall at the first hurdle, among the favourites or most equipped clubs.
Also, I am curious to see how the players will adapt to their new status of trophy holders and favourites – which is always tricky to handle.
NEXT’S UP
Let’s wait and see who will play in Europe, but we already know who we will play in the WSL and that is Manchester United, nonetheless.
Mark Skinner’s side put four past Leicester City at home and five past the London City Lionesses away, with French international Melvine Malard netting a brace in each game.
Travelling to Manchester will present us with a very tough test – the first of the season – and could be the first turning point of this campaign: a win at Leigh Sports Village would boost our credentials, while a loss might deflate the morale very hard.
It will be a close contest, a very intense game, and it could truly go either way – possibly being decided by one moment of brilliance.
One thing is sure: we can’t afford to fall behind early in the game, this time.
We’ll talk again after the game, that will be played on Sunday afternoon, to dissect the result and the performance of our girls.
Speak to you soon!
Italian living in Switzerland, Gooner since mid-nineties, when the Gunners defeated my hometown team, in Copenhagen. I started my own blog and podcast (www.clockenditalia.com) after after some experiences with Italian websites and football magazines. Covering Arsenal Women with the occasional rant about the boys.
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