Report: Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea (inc goal)

Arsenal: Zinsberger; Wienroither, Williamson (Reid 60′), Catley (Codina 60′), McCabe; Little, Cooney-Cross (Wälti 77′); Kühl (Lia 86′), Kafaji (Maanum 60′), Foord (Mariona 60′); Russo
Substitutes: Williams (GK), Fox, Agyemang, Harbert, Earl

–

Arsenal closed out the US tour with a 1-0 loss to Chelsea at Audi Field in Washington, DC.

Jonas Eidevall named a more experienced lineup than last week’s friendly against Washington Spirit, with Rosa Kafaji starting, as well as Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Kyra Cooney-Cross, and Laura Wienroither. There was a late change to the lineup, as Beth Mead pulled out following the warm up, and was replaced by Kathrine Kühl.

First Half

Arsenal began by controlling possession, but Chelsea would offer the early threat, with Hamano striking from distance, and then Aggie Beever-Jones winning the ball from Kim Little as Arsenal looked to build.

Arsenal’s first threatening move came after successfully playing out from pressure, with Williamson playing through to Kafaji, who spun away from pressure, played a one-two with Foord and won a corner. While the corner came to nothing, it was another promising moment involving the 21-year old attacking midfielder.

Kafaji would then be involved in Arsenal’s next chance. Arsenal broke and Kafaji drove forward with only Foord ahead. Kafaji played the ball into the path of Kafaji’s run, and Foord shot early to try to beat Musovic, with her shot going wide.

Kafaji was at the heart of another move, as quick interplay between McCabe, Foord, and Kafaji got the Swede into the inside left channel to win another corner. Having been an area of concern last season, it was clear from early efforts that Arsenal still need to work on attacking set pieces.

Arsenal should’ve taken the lead on 39 minutes. Russo pressed Musovic, causing the Chelsea goalkeeper to kick the ball off of her. The ball bounced to Foord, who hit her shot into the ground and too close to Musovic, who was able to recover and save. Chelsea then had a chance of their own after Kyra Cooney-Cross gave the ball in the penalty area, but Catley would bail out her fellow Australian, blocking Beever-Jones’ shot.

Second Half

Chelsea took the lead in the 51st minute. Guro Reiten’s cross was cut out by Kim Little, but Little lost the ball to Hamano, and Catley could only get a half-clearance, which fell to Sandy Baltimore, who fired past Zinsberger. 0-1.

Arsenal made four changes on 60 minutes: Mariona replaced Foord, Katie Reid replaced Williamson, Laia Codina replaced Catley, and Frida Maanum replaced Kafaji.

Arsenal had created little in response to Chelsea’s goal, but on 75 minutes there was a good chance. Maanum’s cross came to Russo, and while Russo couldn’t collect, Wienroither was presented with the ball in a good position but her shot was blocked by Bjorn.

In the 78th minute, Lia Wälti replaced Kyra Cooney-Cross.

In the 80th minute, Mariona picked up a loose ball in midfield and played an excellent ball in behind to Russo, who had run to the inside-left channel of the box. Russo took the shot, and perhaps should’ve chopped back with Maanum in support. Russo would then drive to the box a couple of minutes later but fired well over.

Arsenal were pushing for an equalising goal, and from a set piece, Mariona had a shot blocked behind.

Viv Lia then came on to replace Kühl.

Russo would then have another chance. Mariona played a sharp pass into the middle, but Russo, whose first touch was good, had her shot blocked.

There were 4 minutes of stoppage time, but Arsenal couldn’t carve out a meaningful chance. Although Arsenal lost, there were some moments of promise. Kafaji and Mariona were both bright and inventive. Focus now will turn to final preparations ahead of the Champions League qualifying tournament in 10 days time.