Arsenal came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Wolfsburg in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg. Jonas Eidevall spoke to the press post-match, the first two questions are from Arseblog News.
On why he started with a back three…
First and foremost we try to set up in the best way for us but of course we take the opponent into consideration. Majority of the decision was to do with the players we had available.
On the spirit his team showed to come from 2-0 down with five first team starters out…
We have three values as a team, we put the team first, always be 100% and to be fearless. Today, we lived all three of those values. The best example is when we concede that second goal, of course it is a mistake, it is a difficult situation. But you have the choice to say we give 100% even if that is a tough situation and to approach the game and believe in the way that we play still. A mistake cannot be defining for us, how we respond to the mistake can be defining as a team. I am beyond proud to to see that response from the players because it shows real resilience, real bravery on the ball and I thought they represented Arsenal excellently today.
RAFAELLE SOUZA GETS A GOAL BACK FOR ARSENAL 👀
WATCH #UWCL LIVE NOW ⬇️
🇬🇧 https://t.co/eKQu00rZQ9
🇩🇪 https://t.co/gJwC9651BE pic.twitter.com/dybz6YHMId— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) April 23, 2023
On keeping the tie alive ahead of the second leg at the Emirates…
We play against a team that has been in nearly every semi-final for the last ten years in the Champions League, we are away. We played United away on Wednesday, we don’t have that many players available. We knew today was going to be difficult, our mission when we came here is to get a result to take this game back to London and decide it there between two good teams. We accomplished that but nothing more, nothing is done but the tie is very much alive.
On Stina Blackstenius marking Lena Oberdorf…
It is very impressive from the players because there is a difference in the way that we work. It helps a lot that the Swedish national team plays in two different systems, they play 343 too where Stina has that role as a 9 and we press similar when we are a back four. That makes it easier because I know as a player she has done that before but I don’t think it would be possible without having that to fall back on. I need to send thanks to Peter Gerhardsson as the Swedish national coach too.
STINA BLACKSTENIUS LEVELS IT UP FOR ARSENAL 🔴⚪️
WATCH #UWCL LIVE NOW ⬇️
🇬🇧 https://t.co/eKQu00rZQ9
🇩🇪 https://t.co/gJwC9651BE pic.twitter.com/Im2m2E9mDz— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) April 23, 2023
On the team consistently coming from behind in big games…
When you are successful doing that it gives the team belief that it can be done. If you don’t believe, no idea is possible to transmit on the pitch. As players and as a team we have to keep standards really high at Arsenal, we can demand from each other that we are 100% every time no matter the situation or the result. For me, that is very important. That is why we have the three values as a team. We always need to live that.
On how excited he is for the future of the team…
Every player that I have in my squad, i believe in them. They are there because I want to have them. That means I have to make tough decisions as a coach because I can only select eleven. You have to say ‘this is the best for the players today.’ That doesn’t mean I don’t believe in the players on the bench. Genuinely I am always looking forward to seeing each and every one of them play. It is the same here. If I take an example like Jen Beattie, who has been phenomenal this season. She has been coming on the from the bench and the way she applies herself day in and day out in training is phenomenal. For me she has been a culture setter in what this group is about. If she does that when she is not selected to start games, who can turn around and say ‘I don’t try harder because I am not playing’? To see her play a game like today makes me so happy, she so much deserved the performance that she did here today. That made me really happy. Hopefully that continues to be a culture setter and an inspiration for all of us.
On how his team have found a strong mentality under his charge…
The only one who can respond in those moments is the players. As a coach, sometimes it is hard to take a step back and say ‘how is the team responding?’ To really see whether they still believe and the only way you can do that is to distance yourself from the emotion, to get some objective facts and that is why we try to do. It depends on how you look at things, either you are always just connected to the result or you see challenge as an opportunity to learn and to grow and if you look at that way and stay process oriented and always try to find the details that is all down to the players and their mentality, that they keep finding that way.
On Josh Kroenke, Vinai Venkateshem, Tim Lewis and Lord Harris being in the crowd today…
It was super nice to see them travelling, I managed to speak to Josh and Tim after the game and they came down and wished the players and the staff all the best to show their support. I wanted to chat with them about the game and I really like that engagement and I have said a lot during this season that this really feels like one club and that is another step in that direction. I saw Lord Harris on the way up here and he is such a great character in building this club, I think it was a strong message from them coming out here and showing their support, it strengthens that feeling that we are one club.
1.Zinsberger; 3.Wubben-Moy, 5.Beattie, 2.Rafaelle; 16.Maritz, 12.Maanum, 13.Walti, 7.Catley (26.Wienroither ‘70); 21.Pelova (22.Kuhl ‘89), 15.McCabe; 25.Blackstenius.
Unused: 14.D’Angelo, 18.Marckese, 59.Agyemang, 60.Habbert, 62.Earl.
That was INCREDIBLE! The fight, the spirit, the determination. They all deserve credit.
Big credit to Jonas and his staff. Would be amazing to get to that final where anything can happen. COYG
Considering how injury depleted the team is a pretty impressive performance!
I think the injuries have acted as more fuel for this group. They look more determined.
Hopefully, Jonas gets backed in the summer. The foundations for a super team have been laid.
Great performance ladies if there were player ratings you would all get 10 , except for Katie who would get 11 for her shithousery
What a match! Our women played their hearts out and to have Jen in control at the back was the icing on the cake. Katie really must learn to control her temper. I accept that she is passionate about the game and our players but she really does need to tone things down. If you are going to foul make sure that the ref and the assistants are unsighted. Alisha Lehman at West Ham is a past mistress of this technique. Overall I was very impressed with our performance though surprised at how fast Wolfsburg were capable of moving up… Read more »
Such good mentality from the team to keep going. Some poor decision making in the final third, particularly in the first half, but they kept going. Thought Stina was exceptional, probably her best game for Arsenal. Looking forward to being there for the second leg and a weekend trip to London. Thank you for the speedy writing with Jonas’ comments, Tim.
Massive result and performance considering the circumstances. All to play for in the 2nd leg!
Just WOW. To be 2-0, on the back of a defeat in Manchester on Wednesday, with half a team of world class players missing through injury, and to battle back the way we did. Hugely proud to support this team. Now to winning at home
Oops! I made a silly mistake in my earlier post. Alisha Lehman plays for Aston Villa now. Same colours as West Ham. Please forgive this old man’s error.