Arsenal defender Jen Beattie spoke to Arseblog News after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Kingsmeadow.
On conceding two goals from wide deliveries…
It’s something we were aware of and practiced a lot but I think you have to give credit to the opposition, Sam Kerr is one of the best in the world in the air. It was frustrating because both times we had time to get set, so to not be able to execute was frustrating.
On missing chances at key times in the game…
I have to be honest, Chelsea outplayed us in the first half. We grew into it in the second half but in the first half they were much the better team and we have to gold our hands up and say that. We had chances we needed to put away, Stina had a great chance in the first half and of course there was the penalty. We had chances to get back into the game but it was a classic game of two halves, we did better second half but they did much better first half.
On how they coped better with Chelsea’s pressure in the second half…
Steph Catley coming on was a big part of it, she has been a big miss over the last two weeks. Her quality and composure on the ball was key and her and Caitlin Foord on the left has always been pivotal all season. We probably didn’t quite have the final ball but we used the central areas better and used the other side to change the point of attacks much better in the second half too.
On Chelsea being able to make six changes from their last game and Arsenal only being able to make one…
It’s part of it, we have been unlucky with injuries all season. We have been missing big players but credit to the girls for stepping up. Squad depth has been an issue.
On whether Arsenal can make a better go of challenging for the title when injured players return next season…
With the players we are missing we have done very well and lots of players have stepped up. We tried to make the best of it but with key players coming back we think we can go to another level. The players we have have been brilliant but with a fully fit squad I think we can push to win everything.
Fair and honest from Jen Beattie.
I agree, Jen, but when was the last time we had a fully fit squad?
We have to have greater depth because we can keep saying we have been unlucky with injuries but it happens time after time.
She also says in the previous answer that squad depth is an issue, though. And she’s bound to back her teammates – it’s natural.
sorry to be that person, but should it be ‘our’ not ‘out’ in the headline?
Class always from Jen of course
The good thing about the injuries is that they haven’t collapsed even against the best so a lot of fringe players have had a good run & we now know we can rely on them when our stars are back. Hence a much stronger squad but still more top top quality needed. Jen has been outstanding in this period despite being short of minutes earlier.
She has indeed but I think a lot of that is to do with Jonas understanding her abilities and setting up the defence to make the most of her strengths.
Jen has always given 100%+ wherever she has played at Arsenal, City or even Scotland.