Two Chelsea goals from distance led to a disappointing end to Arsenal’s FA Cup campaign in front of a full house at Meadow Park.
Joining us pitchside was Tim Stillman, who talks about Jonas Eidevall’s surprise move to try and give Chelsea the blues, but it was Arsenal who probably ended up feeling flushed with embarrassment by letting the game get away from them.
First of all, credit to Chelsea’s unbelievable defense in the first 10 minutes or so, they blocked every shot before it came anywhere near the Goalie. As the game became more evenly played Arsenal’s habit of passing the ball to the wrong colored shirt near it’s own goal reared it’s head, again. Having the ball taken away is one thing but too just give it away is inexcusable. While it didn’t lead to any goals it points out the fact they tend to lose concentration from time to time. Beth had a chance to right the ship at the start… Read more »
I really do not agree with your comparison – of course it’s true that our “superstars” didn’t shine at all today, but we simply had an off day. Our defenders, midfielders and attackers are all superior to Chelsea’s.
Players on both sides looked like they were still getting over the internationals.
I prefer to look on the bright side – the WSL title is still very finely balanced.
I thought both teams were pretty lacklustre, with Arsenal marginally the better for much (but not all) of the first hour or so. Agree both teams looked tired, but Hayes’ game plan – to stifle Arsenal, as she said after the match – didn’t help with the spectacle. As has been said, a major issue was the response to going a goal down, which contrasted somewhat with the Man CIty, Man Utd and first Wolfsburg games. If Beth had scored, or we hadn’t gifted them the first goal, it would have been interesting to see how Hayes would have responded,… Read more »
Agree with all of your points made, Martyn.
Think it says a lot that, for me, Niamh Charles was Chelsea’s best player. Stifled Caitlin & killed any creativity down the side. Even Kim struggled to really get into the game & she was one of the few not to go on internationals
Chelsie has better coached players than Arsenal but they are not better, our players did very good on international level with her countries.
When will we learn that playing the ball around our own penalty area only works against lesser teams? Chelsea (and other top European opponents) are too skilled and too savvy to fall into the pulling them out of position trap and when they inevitably win the ball they are only a few yards from our goal. The first half an hour we were good and could have gained an advantage so why did we not continue like that instead of falling back in the usual handing the game over to Chelsea with the usual result? I am still convinced there… Read more »
As far as playing the ball around in our own penalty area is concerned, it depends who is doing it. Likewise if the plan is to hoof it out to the wings, why not use the CB who can do that most accurately?