Hello, Arsenal Women aficionados!
It’s been a looooooooooong time, right? Arsenal Women finally took the pitch again after the international break and left off exactly where they were, recording their eight and ninth consecutive wins in all competitions.
It might be well too late for a title push, but we’re potentially second in the standings and “only” five points off Manchester City, with four games remaining. Of course, we’d need to win both games in hand, one against Brighton and the other against Leicester City, but this feels like a big upturn in the team’s fortunes, compared to the recent past.
Most importantly, this feels like a big morale boost going into the UWCL clash against Chelsea, also because the Blues seem to be in a mess these days, with big players leaving or about to leave, and the whole structure on verge of collapsing after Green’s shock exit, a few weeks ago. Tuesday could be a pivotal moment for both clubs and define the whole season, especially for Chelsea who have given up on the title and are seeing their dynasty crumble in front of their own eyes. The first leg will be played at the Emirates Stadium, and hopefully a big roar will accompany Leah Williamson and her teammates towards a memorable night.
The UWCL is all is left to play for, both for Chelsea and Arsenal, with the FA Cup more of a consolation prize (although a very good one), so I think we can expect big things from this tie, and we should all probably brace ourselves for two nerve-wrecking games.
RENÉE SLEGERS RINGS THE CHANGES AND IT WORKS
After winning a rather difficult away game at London City Lionesses, courtesy of one goal apiece from Olivia Smith and Stina Blackstenius, Renée Slegers decided to rotate very heavily against West Ham, on Saturday, and the team responded very well. The reverse fixture was one of the most damaging results of the campaign for the Gunners, who were pegged back by West Ham in the final seconds of the game despite dominating and creating enough chances to see off the game, so it felt good to correct that and ensure an emphatic win against an old foe, for a change.
The starting XI that took the field at the Emirates Stadium to face West Ham included five new faces compared to the one that beat the London City Lionesses the week before, and Lotte Wubben-Moy was the only outfield player to play all the minutes in each game. That allowed several key players to get a breather and rest for the upcoming UWCL quarterfinals against Chelsea and prepare adequately for the biggest day of the season so far.
Hopefully that will make a difference on Tuesday and the likes of Katie McCabe, Emily Fox, Leah Willimson will be at their best for the two-legged UWCL tie against Chelsea and the other two games of the “block”, as Renée Slegers like to refer to, that include an all-important North London Derby and the FA Cup quarterfinal against Brighton.
IS OLIVIA SMITH READY TO TAKE OVER?
Her stats read: 15 starts, 7 goals and 1 assist in all competitions. Not a bad return for a wide forward, especially in her debut season at such a big club, at the tender age of 20. Yet there are many things that remain unseen and unsaid, if we look at numbers only.
Since arriving from Liverpool, Olivia Smith has developed into a real threat off the right wing, and gradually took over on the right wing, racking up starts and minutes. Her season can be divided into three distinct chapters: in the period between August and October she moved in and out of the team and despite a goal and assist in her first two appearances, she never took off and never played more than 70 minutes. I guess that had a lot to do with her fitness levels and her integration into a team that likes to control the ball, play intricate football rather than going gung-ho! in a way that would suit the Canadian’s style better.
Then she was sort of frozen out by Renée Slegers, who didn’t give her a start until late November and kept subbing her off around the hour mark quite regularly until the winter break. If this was a fairytale story or a Disney movie, that’s the moment when the hero is at her worst, head full of doubts and the whole word conspiring against her despite the best efforts.
Then, something happened: on one hand, Olivia Smith ‘s output became more regular and more reliable, on the other hand, her impact started to grow outside of her mazy runs and powerful shots, making her a more all-around player and a real threat on and off the ball.
That’s the moment when all the efforts are repaid, and the hero shows her true self.
Since the winter break, the former Liverpool forward started every game and played 83, 81, 71 and 89 minutes against Manchester City, OH Leuven, the London City Lionesses and West Ham, respectively, and contributed to three goals in the process.
She established herself as an undisputed starter and looks far more involved and aware of the team’s dynamics than she’s ever been since arriving in North London.
Is the third chapter the happily ever after for Olivia Smith?
THE MYSTERY HAT-TRICK
Has Chloe Kelly brought home the ball from the thumping 5-0 win against West Ham? Clips published on the new version of the Arsenal App suggested so, but the England international – although sensational against the Irons – didn’t score a hat-trick, did she?
She scored a wonderful long-range goal, she completed a brace with a typical fox-in-the-box strike after a mistake from a defender, but she never scored a third.
Or did she?
If we rewind to the initial stages of the game, Chloe Kelly started her big day by curling in a beautiful cross for the onrushing Stina Blackstenius, who scored the opening goal with an easy tap-in from close range.
Or didn’t she?
The goal was later officially given to Stina Blackstenius, but it’s hard to tell whether the Swede international truly touched the ball, since it didn’t seem to alter its trajectory or speed.
The mystery continues…
NEXT UP
Ready for a big night at the Emirates Stadium? Not sure I am! Jokes aside, the next block of games will likely define our season, so everyone best being on their A-game for the upcoming four matches against Chelsea (twice), Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton.
There are two cup semifinals up for grabs and potentially a runners-up place in the WSL, so a lot to play for. Plus, if City were to lose the Manchester derby…
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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