Arsenal were 4-0 winners at home to West Ham in the WSL on Sunday thanks to a brace from Kim Little, a goal from Beth Mead and a Grace Fisk own goal. Jonas Eidevall spoke to the press post-match, the first three questions are from Arseblog News, the others from other journalists.
On recalling Fran Stenson from loan from Brighton…
We had some injury problems with Lydia and we can’t be in a position with the number of games we have coming up where we only have one goalkeeper. That was part of the loan deal with Brighton, that she would stay there but not if we got into a situation where we needed to call her back due to numbers so that’s what’s happened.
On the absences of Tobin Heath and Jen Beattie from the squad tonight…
Jen got sick last night so she wasn’t in the squad, I don’t think that will be anything lengthy so she should be back in the squad for midweek. Tobin has a very minor injury, it’s lower body but i don’t think it is anything to write home about. We will assess tomorrow whether she will be in the squad in midweek. That won’t be lengthy either. If this was the last game of the season she could have played.
The quick feet. The change of pace.
What an opening goal from Kim Little! 🔥
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On finding space behind the West Ham wing-backs and whether Arsenal targeted those areas…
Of course, any team playing a back three or five, the difference between those two formations is whether you attack behind the wing backs or not and, if you do, it transforms to a back five, which makes it way less aggressive. We forced that decision from the opponent.
On Kim Little’s performance…
Kim Little was brilliant, she is so dynamic with the positions she takes both defensively and offensively, really glueing the different units of the team together. But of course, her dynamic when she gets on the ball too, she can pass, she can combine, she can run. She is a very difficult player to stop. She played a huge part in the victory today.
What a goal! 😍
Kim Little scores again to make it 2-0 to Arsenal! 🔥
Will she get a hat-trick? 👀
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On keeping a fifth consecutive clean sheet in the WSL…
Clean sheets win games, it’s very important. Everything starts with having a solid defence and not conceding easy goals, it’s very important and I want us to work very hard in every game on keeping clean sheets.
On using more players than any other team so far this season…
With the number of games since we have started this season and our players are highly used with national teams. Rotating helps us to prepare the team for future games, it’s a sign of us having a lot of available players too. Those things go hand in hand, by rotating we can keep players available as we manage their load better. That’s a positive circle we want to continue.
On whether the league should do more to help teams in the Champions League with scheduling…
Yes, structurally. But unfortunately today was more about stadium availability because Boreham Wood were at home on Saturday, so we had to play today. That’s not the league’s fault. Generally, I think the league should do more to help the teams in Europe have the best possible conditions, but this time it was about stadium availability.
No stopping that! 👊
A brilliant turn, run and pass from Nikita Parris is finished off perfectly by Beth Mead and Arsenal get their third! ⚽
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1.Zinsberger, 16.Maritz, 6.Williamson (20.Boye ‘70), 3.Wubben-Moy, 15.McCabe; 12.Maanum, 10.Little (c) (13.Walti 61), 23.Iwabuchi (8.Nobbs ‘70), 14.Parris (7.Catley ‘73), 9.Mead, 19.Foord (11.Miedema 61).
keep going girls. The girls are on fire.. Keep the momentum going and kudos to the coach for the way he’s structuring the squad , every player is important. Looking forward to that FA cup finals with Chelshit.
That’s a masterclass in finishing by the women. Love the run from Parris for the third.
Such confidence running through the squad. They are simply looking unbeatable.
All about Kim’s goals to ensure there is no “one of those nights” type of feeling. Great goals, a captain’s performance again.
The football was outstanding at times, and it is a shame we didnt score more.
I still remember when most of these news piece used to be “…reacts to loss”
Go girls!!!
Kim is a legend. She is one of the most professional players ever to be on this stage.
The British game’s most “super star” of the past decade, perhaps ever!
I know! We are so lucky to have her.