Saturday was a bad day for Arsenal players at the World Cup. Lia Walti captained Switzerland with Noelle Maritz also starting at centre-back against Spain in the first round of 16 game.
However, the Swiss endured a nightmare game, losing 5-1 to Spain with a listless performance. Walti and Maritz played a full 90 minutes that neither player will remember fondly. Noelle and Lia will now take some holiday before returning for pre-season with Arsenal ahead of their Champions League qualifier against Linkopping on September 6.
In the second round of 16 game of the day, Frida Maanum was dropped to the bench for Norway as they continued to search for an elusive chemistry and they didn’t find it against Japan, who were deserved 3-1 winners. Japan will play the winner of Sweden v USA and Spain will play the winner of Netherlands v South Africa in the quarter-finals.
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The aforementioned Round of 16 games take place tomorrow with Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius, Lina Hurtig and Amanda Ilestedt lining up against the US at 10am UK. At 3am UK, Victoria Pelova and Netherlands will play South Africa.
Katie McCabe, Cloe Lacasse, Sabrina D’Angelo, Noelle Maritz, Lia Walti and Frida Maanum are all now out of the World Cup and will be ready for the Linkopping tie on September 6. Either Kathrine Kuhl or Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord will join them on Monday too as Australia play Denmark, so Arsenal’s squad ought to be in good shape for September 6.
It’s a shame the girls are out,but at least they’ll have a bit more time off,just trying to see the positives
I was hoping the squad would gain some confidence coming in to the season from good performances at the world cup but it looks like that may not be the case for a good number of them. Frida Golden ball campaign will have to wait until 2028
I have been watching the Japanese team, they are fantastic. A masterclass is fast counter attacking football!
Agreed & they really went out from the start & took the game to Norway
Their technical level is simply unmatched In women’s football, even Spain looked clumsy and out of ideas against them. Thankfully Yui is not as good for Man city, played like a prime Xavi in this Japanese team, her vision and precision of pass is scary
Was wondering if they would be available for a that Champion’s League qualifier given Miedema’s arguments for more time off for players. Will they maybe be given more time off later in the season given they won’t get the same time off as their teammates who didn’t play in the World Cup?
Been really impressed with Japanese No.9 Riko Ueki. Very technical forward with an amazing engine, equally comfortable centrally or on the wing. Would absolutely love to see her in an Arsenal shirt!
At least we get them back fit and ready for next season 🤞