Arsenal Women laid down a marker in the title race with a 1-0 win over Manchester City at Meadow Park today thanks to a first half goal from Vivianne Miedema. Tim Stillman spoke to Gunners defender Jen Beattie about the game exclusively for Arseblog News.
On a big 3 points in the title race…
It was a huge result for us, especially after the loss against Chelsea to get 3 points and against such a top team. It was a really tough game, which is exactly what we expected, but really chuffed with the 3 points and I think we deserved them today.
On Manchester City’s decision to mark her central defensive partner Leah Williamson…
It was hard to know what City were going to do in the press because we’ve not played them yet this season, but it meant I had the ball more and I am more than happy to be on the ball and we still found ways to play through them.
On playing a formidable Manchester City defence…
They’ve got loads of experience and plenty of top players in their squad and it was exactly what we expected. Trying to play through their deep block is a very, very tough challenge and they made it really hard for us to get through them again today.
There's only one outcome when @VivianneMiedema's through on goal ?
? @BTSportFootball pic.twitter.com/LvE9dRntxE
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) October 27, 2019
On leading this and the Chelsea games at half-time and whether that was discussed at the interval…
We didn’t discuss the Chelsea game, this felt very different. We knew we’d played really well in the first half today and we needed to continue that in the second half and not drop the level like we did at Chelsea. We didn’t drop the level today.
On Jen playing against her former club…
I tried not to think about it to be honest, it was slightly strange, I’ve never really experienced playing against so many former teammates before. I just tried to treat it like any other game and just focus on my performance.
On Arsenal dropping deeper in the last 15 minutes…
That was just game management, we knew we didn’t have to really come out and expose ourselves by chasing a game we were winning. We knew we were on top and we were quite happy to play the game that way.
On Vivianne Miedema making the difference…
100% it is better to be her teammate than to try and defend against her! She’s a goalscorer and makes the difference and that’s what she has done again today. I am very happy to be her teammate rather than the one trying to stop her.
Just @VivianneMiedema things ?♀️
Your striker could never ? pic.twitter.com/Xl6pgYdRA1
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) October 27, 2019
Montemurro to manage the men’s team? ?
I’d back him to do a good job with the men.
He’s a bit busy right now helping the women to top the league and pushing for back to back titles.
on ya Sonya
Great win, a couple of chances to make it more comfortable scoreline, I’ll take it! And access to watch the whole match online, instead of highlights (if any). Thanks FA/Player.
1 nil to the Arsenal…
Well done girls and it could have been more.
Great atmosphere at Meadow Park, City were well supported and it seemed like more in the ground than the official 2,400.
Fantastic win, girls. What a great addition Jen Beattie has been, too. Nullified City’s tactic of pressing Williamson.
That’s because they were scared of Jen they know her too well!