Arsenal make winning start to post-Eidevall era – but tactical flaws remain

Although an unconvincing performance at times, Arsenal will be relieved to have got off the mark in the Champions League

The hallmark of a good team is how they respond to adversity. Less than 48 hours after their manager, Jonas Eidevall, tendered his resignation following a torrid start to the season, Arsenal Women put a ropey week behind them to chalk up an ego-boosting win.
Bouncing back from consecutive defeats – which included their nightmare outing against Bayern Munich last week – they will be relieved to get off the mark in the Champions League as they ushered in a new era under interim boss Renee Slegers, who conceded the last few days had been “hectic”and she had spent them “managing emotions”.
It was far from convincing at times, but they got the job done – helped by a dream start when Emily Fox poked home after 62 seconds to put Arsenal ahead after a scramble in the penalty area.
Caitlin Foord doubled the lead on the half-hour, rifling in a close-range finish after Beth Mead had an effort saved, to round off a bright attack started by summer signing Mariona Caldentey. Her 85th-minute strike and Alessia Russo’s stoppage-time finish added extra gloss to an otherwise vanilla performance.
Arsenal’s teething problems remain, including complacency in front of goal. They had myriad chances in the first half and would have been four or five up had it not been for the heroics of Valerenga keeper, Tove Enblom.
There was a palpable tension before kick-off, with the 5,613 crowd knowing that this was a match Arsenal simply could not afford to lose.
Nothing short of a win was required to steady a sinking ship of a season and it was unsurprising to see captain Kim Little pull her team in for a protracted huddle. Valerenga, by contrast, partook in an extensive round of high-fives. As debutants in this competition, they were simply happy to be there.
Notwithstanding their poor form – which has led to them slipping to sixth in the Women’s Super League after one win in four games – the hosts were heavy favourites against these Champions League newbies, whose inexperience in this competition was telling.
In the match programme, there was a quick copy-and-paste job of the press release that the club had issued confirming Jonas Eidevall’s departure the day previously.
What a turnaround this was for Slegers, who was tasked with transforming fortunes, starting with a European fixture. The 35-year-old cut a relaxed figure on the sidelines, where she looked more akin to a substitute in an Arsenal tracksuit.
The Dutchwoman made just one change from the side who lost to Chelsea last Saturday, with Laia Codina replacing Lotte Wubben-Moy in a defensive back line that once again proved too porous when the Norwegian outfit pulled one back.
Codina was caught in no-man’s land as Arsenal tried to play out from the back, leading to Olaug Tvedten’s neat, curling finish to send a raucous pocket of Valerenga fans in the Clock End into raptures. The warning signs had been coming after Janni Thomsen’s low drive was brilliantly saved by Arsenal keeper Daphne van Domselaar moments earlier.
Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius was denied by the woodwork late on after Caldentey had put the game beyond doubt.
Arsenal Women (4-3-3): Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Codina Panedas (Reid 90+2), McCabe (Catley 61), Little, Caldentey, Walti (Hurtig 90+2), Mead (Maanum 61), Russo, Foord (Blackstenius 78).Goals: Fox (2), Foord (29), Caldentey (85), Russo (90+3).Subs not used: Zinsberger (g), Williams, Kafaji, Kuhl, Cooney-Cross, Lia, Godfrey.Bookings: Codina, Foord.Valerenga (3-4-3): Enblom, Horte, Thorsnes (Olsen 90+2), Kovacs, Thomsen, Vickius (Arnesen 84), Bjelde (Enger 90+1), Heioarsdottir, Stolen Godo, Saevik, Tvedten (Lindwall 90+1). Goals: Tvedten (35).Subs not used: Erichsen (g), Grinde-Hansen (g), Sesay. Bookings: Thorsnes.Referee: Marta Huerta de Aza (Spa).Attendance: 5,613.