Chelsea put the pressure on Arsenal manager Jonas Idewall after the Blues went top of the Women’s Super League with a 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium.
After last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Everton and the 5-2 thrashing of Bayern Munich in midweek, Arsenal manager Eidewaal was under enormous pressure before the game. 16 minutes in front of 45,860 fans at the Emirates Stadium.
First, Arsenal’s defensive set-piece problems continued as the Gunners failed to clear the first corner of the game, with the impressive Myra Ramirez scoring an overhead finish from inside the box. It was the fifth goal Arsenal have conceded from a set piece since Wednesday.
Arsenal’s defense was then nowhere to be seen as Sandy Baltimore ran in behind Beth Meade and finished from close range to send the home fans into silence.
Jonas Eidewal is under extreme pressure at Arsenal at the moment.
The boos were expected to be even heavier in the first half, but Caitlin Foord’s stunning solo strike improved the home atmosphere at the break. The Australian winger beat Lucy Bronze down the left and finished well from a tight angle after diving past Kadeisha Buchanan and Hannah Hampton.
Arsenal had most of the ball in the second half, but Chelsea still looked most likely to add to the scoreline on most occasions.
Some last-ditch defending from Lotte Wubben-Moy denied Lauren James inside the box, while substitute Aggie Beever-Jones fired a superb shot past Gunners goalkeeper Daphne Van Domselaar. The Gunners’ shot-stopper needed more heroics to deny the Chelsea forward one-on-one in added time.
But Arsenal were inches away from an equalizer when substitute Stina Blackstenius was found unmarked from a free-kick but somehow managed to drop the ball onto the bar alongside Hannah Hampton. The Chelsea goalkeeper also matched Alessia Russo’s fierce volley in stoppage time.
Chelsea secured another statement win, with Emma Hayes adding significance as she watched from the manager’s box for the first time since leaving the club. Hayes failed to beat Arsenal at the Emirates but new manager Sonia Bompastor did it at the first attempt.
Emma Hayes watched Chelsea for the first time since leaving the club.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are four points behind the Blues, who have played one more game. “This certainly doesn’t help our ambitions to win the league,” Arsenal manager Idebal said.
“But it doesn’t change the perspective. We have to take it one game at a time but there is no reason to hide from the reality and we know it is not a good start to the season.”
Asked if he was confident about his position at Arsenal, Idewall replied: “I gave everything to prepare for this game today.
“The players gave everything on the pitch. That’s something you can control and demand from the players. Just focus on the next game. I just need to focus on what I can do.”
Analysis: Is that for Arsenal’s Eidebal?
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz at the Emirates Stadium:
“At full-time, Jonas Eidewaal rallied a dejected Arsenal team. Could that be the last time he gives after a performance for the Gunners?
“There is no shame in losing to Chelsea but this is not a good start to the season for Arsenal. They could end the weekend behind newly promoted Crystal Palace and, in further disappointment for their fans, north London rivals Tottenham in the Women’s Super League table. You may fall behind.
“The departure of Emma Hayes, who watched Chelsea from the stands for the first time since leaving today, was intended to give Arsenal a chance to catch Chelsea in transition. But somehow Chelsea looked the same and Arsenal regressed.”
“Idebal is a top-class new signing and has the support of the Arsenal hierarchy. Sporting director Edu Gaspar was in the stands, and he is a measured figure at the club who is always looking at the bigger picture. Arsenal reach the Champions League semi-finals With the Gunners also being back-to-back Continental Cup champions two years ago, Eidevall has credit in the bank.
“But Arsenal are not just any old team. They attract more than 40,000 fans at the Emirates for league games and attract more and more every year. They have some of the best players in Europe in their squad and are far behind in the title race. – Can Eidevall get any more support than this?”
Eidevall: Players’ efforts will silence criticism
Arsenal defender Lea Williamson looks dejected at full-time
arsenal manager Jonas Eidewal:
“It’s very disappointing. We’ve had a really poor start. We’ve now conceded four goals from corner kicks in three games. That’s not sustainable if you want to be a top team. The second goal is not good enough either. It’s particularly disappointing. A top team. Against they will punish it.
“The players showed incredible courage and sincerity. We played with incredible support from the stands. Of course we scored a goal and we had a chance to score a second goal. The players worked very hard to win inches. Yes, but We went in the wrong direction tonight.
“I think (the fans who are booing him because they have lost faith in him) need to see how hard the players worked and how hard they put in. I hope that will give the supporters confidence.
“I completely understand people are disappointed that they don’t win a football game. I’m hurting, the players are hurting. We want to do better, so I totally understand in the moment. When you win, when you lose, you’re allowed to show your emotions. I understand their I completely understand your frustration.
“It’s a very difficult week ahead. A tight turnaround in Europe, Bayern Munich and Chelsea against teams with much better preparation time for the games. Once again, we’ll see how the players react today and how they respond. Must see.
“If you look at how much football we played last week, you can see the incredible effort the players put in under these adverse circumstances. It shows great character even in adverse circumstances.”
Bompastor: There is still a lot of room for improvement at Chelsea
Chelsea celebrate at the Emirates Stadium under the leadership of manager Sonia Bompastor.
chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor:
“It was a really good start, almost the perfect way to start. Now we have to see if we can maintain that style for 90 minutes.”
“I expected our team to have more of the ball in the second half and manage the tempo of the game. But it’s really difficult to come here and play away from home against a really good team. The good news is we didn’t do that. We definitely suffered in the second half, but it’s good we didn’t concede.
“There is always room for improvement. We can clearly see where we need to improve as a team. We need to be more consistent. We still have a young squad with a lot of experienced players, so we need to be able to manage the tempo. “But you had the fans to give Arsenal credit and they got a huge boost when they scored in the first half.”
What’s next for Arsenal and Chelsea?
The action continues to come thick and fast as Arsenal prepare for their second Women’s Champions League group stage match. valerenga Wednesday (October 16).
Chelsea will have an extra day of rest before the game. FC Twente I will be away on Thursday (October 17th).
