1.Zinsberger; 2.Fox, 6.Williamson(c), 3.Wubben-Moy, 7.Catley; 21.Pelova, 13.Wälti; 9.Mead, 11.Miedema, 19.Foord; 23.Russo.
Subs: 14.D’Angelo (GK), 40. Williams (GK), 10.Little, 12.Maanum, 24.Lacasse, 25.Blackstenius, 27.Codina, 28.Ilestedt, 32.Cooney-Cross,
–
Leah Williamson started for Arsenal for the first time since last April, as Jonas Eidevall made two changes, with Amanda Ilestedt dropping to the bench and Steph Catley starting at left back for the suspended Katie McCabe.
First Half
The closest either side came to scoring in the first 13 minutes was when Steph Catley’s in-swinging corner ended on the top of Mackenzie Arnold’s net. But when Arsenal were in possession, West Ham would drop off into two deep lines, with only Viviane Asseyi staying ahead of the ball, looking to offer an outlet for West Ham.
From a corner, Arsenal had a strong claim for handball, but no penalty was given. In the same passage of play, Russo’s cleverly crafted lob was tipped over by Arnold. Russo then headed over from Fox’s cross after Arsenal had won the ball back in the final third.
Pelova and Russo then combined neatly to send Miedema through on goal. Miedema chopped back to get away from Cissoko’s challenge, but doing so let Hayashi come back and make a crucial goal saving tackle, just as Miedema was about to shoot.
West Ham then had a chance on the counter. Hawa Cissoko stepped forward from the back to intercept a pass, drove forward through midfield, and looked for Asseyi, who failed to test Zinsberger.
Miedema then drove forward, shrugged off Tysiak, but her powerful left footed strike hit the crossbar.
Arsenal then made the breakthrough on 42 minutes. Catley’s corner was flicked on by Kirsty Smith to the far post, where Russo was standing unmarked, and she headed home. 1-0.
Catley then had a decent chance to make it 2-0. Miedema held the ball up, and then Pelova worked the ball onto Catley at the top of the box, but her shot was central and easy for Arnold to save.
Second Half
At half time, Amanda Ilestedt replaced the returning Leah Williamson.
3 minutes into the half, West Ham won a penalty. Ueki got the wrong side of Catley looking to get onto Hayashi’s pass. Catley tripped her on the edge of the area with the contact perhaps going into the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. Asseyi sent Zinsberger the wrong way, and West Ham, with their first shot on target, had leveled the score.
West Ham then took the lead. A free kick was floated into the box, Zinsberger punched, but punched straight to Cissoko, who finished into the empty net.
Arsenal had a chance to respond right away, with Fox’s cross finding Mead, but her shot was blocked. Eidevall then rang the changes. Stina Blackstenius, Cloé Lacasse, and Kyra Cooney-Cross replaced Miedema, Mead, and Pelova.
Lacasse’s first contribution was to get into the box after a neat one-two, and her cutback found Russo who blasted over. Cissoko’s clearance then came to Russo who acrobatically volleyed just over.
Eidevall then made Arsenal’s final change, as Frida Maanum replaced Caitlin Foord. Arsenal had a half chance as Arnold fumbled a free kick, but Cooney-Cross’ speculative effort went wide.
Arsenal probably should’ve had a penalty, as Lacasse was bumped in the penalty box by Katina Gorry, but the referee was unmoved.
There were 5 minutes added on, and in the third minute of stoppage time Fox’s smart through ball found Blackstenius, whose shot from an acute angle was saved by Arnold. Catley’s corner found Russo at the far post, but Russo headed over as the clock ran out.
Well, that stinks.
Typical, innit? Beat, even annihilate, the bigger teams then give them right back to the poorer teams. This is exactly like losing to Birmingham a couple of seasons ago! And to think that Man City are about to drop points, too. Frustrating, disappointing, and embarrassing!
That’s adios to the title
You will probably be saying that again in four hours time…
That aged well …
Fighting with Man United for top 3 now. What a disappointment.
It feels like we’re expecting to win games just by showing up. Like the ”smaller” teams should just lie down and die. Against Chelsea we were prepared and crushed them, almost every other game (especially today) we were not focused, without a purpose, too slow, too many useless passes too far from their goal.
Spot on!
They struggle against low blocks, just like the men’s team. That’s why it baffles me that Lacasse is always on the bench against teams like this. She dribbles and is direct, that’s a useful asset against teams like WHU.
Oh my God, yes! Lacasse creates havoc amongst defenders and should be getting a lot more game time.
As should KCC. Yes, she’s less experienced than Walti or Little but she has been the mainstay of her previous side, she’s a key player for her country and she is the future of Arsenal.
Nice to see the men’s team are not the only ones capable of blowing big opportunities..
I don’t even know what to say about that performance. Not one players is taking control of the team and acting like a captain. Russo was awful in front of goal and holy shit why is Manu getting a new contract??? Jonas explain why our fight is to stay 3rd now and not fighting to win a title? This is the best paid squad of players we have ever had and our results are no better than previous years. With no CL reformat will we even get through the rounds we fail last year?
So frustrating 😫 Punished by a dubious penalty and a non penalty. 23 shots poor finishing. Have a feeling it may echo the later game. 😪
How can a team that demolished Chelsea 4-1 be humbled by Liverpool, the Spuds and now West Ham? The overall play is far too slow and ponderous. The tempo simply needs to be higher especially when you play teams who’s only tactic is park the bus. I’m still not seeing much improvement in strikerate from the dedicated set piece coach nor bring Kelly Smith into the coaching staff but then the malaise appears team wide and not just with the forwards who are currently taking the blame for not scoring enough goals to win us games when we cannot keep… Read more »
Oh my God, Lacasse creates havoc amongst defenders and should be getting a lot more game time.
As should KCC. Yes, she’s less experienced than Walti or Little but she has been the mainstay of her previous side, she’s a key player for her country and she is the future of Arsenal.
Sorry – replied to wrong poster accidentally, though I agree with PST as well.
It’s almost like the whole team from manager to players thought only Chelsea was the challenge. Lack of respect is one thing but for the manager not to get team selection or subs right is a problem, so is Manu in goal. But why is Stina not starting games when Russo is scoring 1:25 chances she gets? Tactically poor from the team and no real desire to win the game.
Usually I try to watch again after we lose before coming to any firm conclusions, but that was awful and I don’t think it’s going to look any better tomorrow. I rewatched the Spurs loss the other night and in that game we actually played well – were very creative and had a lot of chances. It was our finishing that was inept. Not the case today. All the same issues again. Slow play, no movement. Forcing the final ball. Passes bouncing off the recipient. Terrible finishing. Unaccountably bad decision-making. It’s so frustrating – all we have to do is… Read more »
Yep! We’re in agreement again. The irony is that the top teams try to beat us so they leave space for us to play our game and that’s why we appear to be better against them. With the lower ranked teams who are just really hoping for damage limitation and maybe sneaking a goal on a break we have to be much quicker and also, my little tip for Jonas, play Stina and Lessi together. They are not interchangeable No.9’s as their individual characteristics are quite different. Stina will run all day for you and if she manages to stay… Read more »
Indeed – re Stina + Alessia. It’s a potentially similar partnership to Viv + Stina which we know works. Russo is much more like Viv than like Stina!
My point exactly!
I went on a bit of an emotional rant on the thread about Jonas’s response to the defeat. This morning I completely agree with your calmer analysis.
No worries, emotions were high yesterday afternoon! We may have to concede another title to Chelsea as they wave goodbye to Hayes but on a positive thought you have to wonder if anyone else will be able to keep that team together and happy over in West London? I can see an exodus on the horizon if not next season probably the one after!
Four games in I said this manager was not the man, and I got trolled.
Viv and Beth and the rest of the old brigade do not have a divine right to start, earn it. Lacasse, first name on sheet for me , followed by Victoria and KCC until they no longer prove their place.
Russo sheer work rate gets her in Transfer window .. record money for a keeper and a midfield general.
KCC and Victoria are assist merchants ,,, start them Manager or leave,
Disappointing but not the end of the world. Obviously not firing on all cylinders in front of goal and Zinsberger badly at fault for the second goal.
No point arguing penalties given because nothing can be done.