The Gunners had a tough week; first the goalless draw against Everton, then losing 5-2 to Bayern Munich in the Women’s Champions League and now losing against Chelsea in the WSL. The Blues only needed 16 minutes to score the first two goals. Arsenal had a lot of trouble with set pieces and so goal number 1 came from Chelsea’s first corner. Millie Bright headed the ball towards Mayra Ramírez who was barely marked and able to score. The total attendance was 45,860 at the Emirates Stadium. Let’s look at the match Arsenal vs Chelsea.
Conceding from Set Pieces
It took Chelsea a little over 3 minutes to score the first goal from a set piece. Arsenal has had trouble with them in the past and Sonia Bompastor played in on that perfectly. The corner was delivered into the box, Sjoeke Nüsken tried to get her head to it but is was Ramírez with somewhat of a cartwheel that scored the goal. Arsenal goalkeeper Van Domselaar was not quick enough and did not expect the ball to go in.
Arsenals response to the goal was set up as many attacks as possible. Kadeisha Buchanan played a big rol in stopping them. Caitlin Foord kept coming up on the left wing, causing most of the trouble in the first half. The Blues defended the attacks easily because Arsenal was not really moving in the box. All the players were marked and there was nowhere to go.
Chelsea Doubles the Lead
The 2-0 was a masterpiece by Chelsea. Rytting Kaneryd got the ball to Lauren James in the box, who passed two defenders to deliver to Baltimore. Baltimore headed it in without any trouble as she was unmarked at the far post. Arsenal defense had no idea she was there.
It was time for Arsenal to take control, but no one really seemed to challenge Chelsea except Caitlin Foord. By cutting in from the left and aiming for goal she created some chances on her own. Her shots were deflected but it did earn Arsenal a few corners. A lack of confidence with the Gunners could be the problem here.
Visitors Dominate the First Half
Chelsea looked strong, organized, fast and creative throughout the first 30 minutes. They knew exactly where to be and how to find each other. The Gunners made too many mistakes not being able to hold possession and build up their attacks. Arsenal’s best player at this point is Caitlin Foord. She makes the runs, helps with defending and is always ready to set up the attack. Looking very determined and motivated, just like the match against Bayern Munich.
Who will score the next goal?
The 0-3 was not far away for Chelsea. Williamson got the ball from McCabe, a pass across the box, she was dispossessed by Reiten who found Lauren James in the box but her volleys goes over.
The first yellow card of the game is for Williamson, who tackled Ramírez but was too late and not touching the ball, just Ramírez her ankles. Williamson is no able to keep up with Ramírez. The Colombian international is too fast not just with her runs but her thinking is also three steps ahead of the Arsenal defense.
Caitlin Foord Finds the Net
Arsenal regains some control just before half-time. Earning another corner for the home team: An unmarked Russo in the box after she gets the ball unexpectedly from Mead’s corner. Her first shot straight to Millie Bright, the second she tried to aim for a teammate and her third attempt was picked up by Hampton.
The 1-2 comes from Caitlin Foord! She has been looking for it the whole first half, coming very close a couple times. Foord ran into the box, got past Bronze near the backline, cut right – more to the middle of the box and finished from a very difficult angle. Beautiful goal that was needed to raise Arsenal’s spirit a little bit.
Easy start to the second half – Arsenal Turn it Around
Arsenal seemed to have had a good talk during the break. The home team upped the pressure and kept it on. The first half it was extremely easy for Chelsea to break through the lines and find their players. In the second half Wubben-Moy and Williamson got better in keeping the lines clear and actually defend Chelsea’s attackers.
Can the Substitutes change the game?
Chelsea made the first substitutions off the match. Ramírez went off and Beever-Jones came on. The Colombian international hurt her ankle and could not quite shake it off. Cat Macario also came on, Lauren James made room for her. The first part of the second half was mostly played on Chelsea’s half. The Blues were overrun at times by Arsenal, not able to get any grip on the game.
Chelsea’s first action in the second half came from Aggie Beever-Jones. She got a lot of space from Wubben-Moy and Reiten’s delivery was on point. Fortunately for Arsenal, Daphne van Domselaar made a brilliant save.
Immediate Impact by the Subs
Jonas Eidevall’s first substitution was Maanum on for Mead. Later Blackstenius and Cooney-Cross came on for Caldentey and Little. Blackstenius immediately caused trouble for Chelsea; Buchanan made a mistake by stepping over the ball and Blackstenius immediately went for it. Her pass to Maanum was too far for her teammate to reach it. But it’s the immediate impact that was promising for Arsenal. Only moments later Katie McCabe launched Maanum on the left wing, who passes Nüsken like its nothing. Her delivery to Blackstenius is on point but the attacker is not able to get her foot to the ball. Baltimore then cleared the ball.
With only five more minutes of regular playing time, Katie McCabe stands over a free kick in a promising position. She delivers perfectly to Blackstenius who hits the cross bar. The Swedish international kept the Chelsea defense on their toes, even Hannah Hampton had to come out of the box to kick away some balls before Blackstenius reached them.
Dissapointing End to a Great Second-Half
The six minutes of extra time are filled with yellow cards and chances for Arsenal. The biggest chance being a volley from Russo, unfortunately straight at Hampton. The Blues were so confident and organized in the first half but seemed to have lost that all in the second half. With only a couple minutes left they are battling to keep their lead at take home three points. Aggie Beever-Jones went for it one more time, but her shot was straight at Van Domselaar, who made an easy save.
Arsenal definitely deserved the equalizer after they had an amazing second-half, but it’s Sonia Bompastor and her team that take home the points. Is Arsenal their season finished – The Gunners are behind 4 points to Chelsea.
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