Arsenal Women maintained their place at the top of the WSL after a 4-0 victory away at Brighton on Sunday. Tim Stillman caught up with Gunners defender Leah Williamson exclusively for Arseblog News.
On starting with a back three…
We wanted to be a bit more secure and lower players a little bit, it’s a brave move from us because when you lower players, the defenders have more space to defend. It was an attacking decision, we knew they were going to drop off and that we needed to move them around and having a back three was the best way to do that. At some point they were going to have to come out and that’s when we can get through.
On registering three assists in two games…
I’d not had one for a while, so I was due! Just pulling my weight I suppose. I’m not sure I can really count the DvD goal as an assist she ran half the length of the pitch. She thanked me for the pass and I said, ‘honey, thank you, you’ve just given me an assist!’
It's what @DanielleDonk does best…@ArsenalWFC lead thanks to this fine finish ?#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/SOmFbYkwvJ
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) January 12, 2020
On playing more precise passes on a dry, bumpy pitch…
We had a conversation internally about that, but Brighton play with a high line, so the game was begging for it today. It’s hard to keep the ball on the floor on the pitch so it was an option to be more direct, but we had a discussion internally and asked the attackers what they wanted from us and that’s why we went that way.
On the importance of an early goal…
It was so important, at some point they have to step out and at 1-0 down they can’t just sit in then. You know that a Hope Powell team is going to be very well organised so getting the early goal was crucial to get them to step out and when they did, that’s when we went for them.
On making sure not to drop off in the second half…
We weren’t entirely satisfied with the performance in the first half and you have to predict how they’re going to change things in the second half. I think they nullified the threat of me and Viki [Schnaderbeck] stepping on with the ball and playing out. That changed the game a bit but the requirement was to kick on and do the same again in the second half, because we weren’t the best in the second half last week in terms of tempo and intensity.
On league games coming up against Chelsea and Manchester City…
This is what we play for, these periods of the season, for it to be this close at the top and you want to be in a competitive league where every game matters. The form we’re in and the way things are going and the mood in the squad are all very good, so bring it on.
One touch to set, then ?@JillRoordNL applies the finish @leahcwilliamson's pass deserves#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/WGVgNDBrTI
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) January 12, 2020
Good solid display all round. Special mention for our “L Girls” Louise, Leah, Lia (plus Viki & Manu!) didn’t give Seagulls a sniff of our goal. Need a new striker though if Viv’s goal drought continues!!!!?
It was a great game. Looking forward to those games too. COYG
Still the most interesting arsenal side at the moment; the level of dedication, determination and professionalism leave the arsenal men for dust. Well done arsenal drive home for the title now!
Next 3 to 4 games could be season defining COYG
Leah is rather modest if she does not think that the ball to DvD was not an assist. Must have been about 40 yards and DvD does not even have to break stride. Admittedly it was quite the run and shot afterwards! Fantastic team spirit.
Interesting stat on the BBC women’s football website where they are looking at WSL top scorers performance. No surprise Viv is top with 14 goals despite her current drought and 62% of her 37 shots being on target. The surprise to me was Kim coming in 5th with 5 goals and 2 assists with all of her 9 shots being on target. She is the only player listed with 100% shots on target record although I guess it does help being the main penalty taker! Good to see Mitch Thunderbastard one in too even if it was for the Spuds!… Read more »