Arsenal were defeated 2-1 by Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Gunners got off to a poor start, conceding to Ramirez and Baltimore in the opening 15 minutes before Caitlin Foord pulled one back just before half-time. Jonas Eidevall spoke to the press post-match, the first two questions are from Arseblog News.
On conceding very similar goals to the ones conceded against Bayern on Wednesday…
It is extremely disappointing, we got off to a really poor start. We have conceded four goals from corners in two games, that is not sustainable if you want to be a top team. The way we defend the cross on their second goal is not good enough either. It’s particularly frustrating because it is not how the pattern looks in the game, it is a one-off situation in the game. But of course, when you are playing against a top team that is enough to make that mistake for them to punish it.
Then the players show incredible character, incredible heart in getting back from such a difficult start, imposing our way of playing, finding our way back into the game again together with amazing support from the stands. We deservedly score a goal, we certainly had chances to score the second goal and the players work extremely hard to get those inches right. Unfortunately, we get the inches on the wrong side today.
On whether players lacked confidence in the final action in front of goal…
I think they work extremely hard to get the inches on the right side and we don’t get it, it’s the inches on the final pass and the inches on the finishing. The effort, I cannot fault and I think we create chances to score the second goal but unfortunately we don’t.
On how damaging the defeat is for Arsenal’s title ambitions…
It certainly doesn’t help with league winning ambitions. But it doesn’t change the perspective that you need to go game by game and do your best in every single game. There is no point in hiding from reality, it is a bad start to the season.
On whether he has been given assurances over his job…
I give absolutely everything today and in preparation for this game, I think you can see that the players give absolutely everything on the pitch. That is the part you can control as a coach, that is the part I can ask for from the players as well. I need to focus on the next match and the things that I can control.
On the steps he will take to win the next game…
To make sure we recover, to make sure we prepare and to make sure we give absolutely everything on Wednesday night.
On Mariona playing on the left, the right and the centre in the last three games and whether that is based on the opposition or finding partnerships in the team…
It is a combination of all those things, it is a mixture. I felt this would be the best way to start the game today and we had a different idea on how to finish the game.
On supporters who are frustrated…
I think we should see how much character and heart the players have for the club and that, I hope, gives supporters belief. And then I fully understand that people are disappointed when we don’t win football matches. We are also really disappointed when we don’t win, I am really hurting, the players are really hurting. We want to do better, I fully understand. Just as you are allowed to show emotion when you win, you are allowed to show emotion when you lose because they invest everything, they travel, they support us, they give us absolutely everything so I totally understand their frustration that we don’t win football matches.
On the psychological damage of the last week…
It’s an extremely tough week, playing away in Europe and playing teams like Bayern Munich and Chelsea with such a short turnaround against teams that, on both occasions, gets better prep time. Of course, that is very difficult. But, again, I have to look and see how the players respond today and how they work. When you see how much football we have been playing in the last week, it shows even more what phenomenal character these players have and how they keep on going in such an adverse situation and having this never give up mentality. It speaks even more volume of their character when you consider the context.
14.van Domselaar; 2.Fox, 6.Williamson, 3.Wubben-Moy, 11.McCabe; 10.Little(c) (32.Cooney-Cross ‘76), 13.Walti; 9.Mead (12.L.Maanum ‘66), 8.Mariona (25.Blackstenius ‘76), 19.Foord; 23.Russo
Unused: 1.Zinsberger, 5.L.Codina, 7.Catley, 16.Kafaji, 22.Kuhl, 62.Reid
Anyone else missing Viv?
Really poor start. The players picked themselves up and gave it a good go. But, the lack of creativity up front is really obvious. Jonas has turned us into such a workman like team. Letting Viv leave for free is inexcusable when them team is misfiring this badly. I think a change of coach is needed.
Workmanlike and slow. So slow. Whenever we break out and play quickly we immediately create chances.
Not that we can put them away, sadly.
So he noticed how bayern scored 2 goals earlier in the week and then did nothing in training? Or have the team given up on him? Regardless, a change is needed.
Seriously?! After a Wednesday night away game. Given they were flying back / warming down on Thursday, he had, at most, one training session to work on it as well as sort out the team tactics / structure.
As for the second one about team giving up on him. Having been to the game and the effort etc they put in I have to say your comment is ridiculous.
There’s fair criticism and then there’s what you’ve just said.
It’s been an unfair situation where arsenal played last Sunday, went to Germany played Wednesday night and played Chelsea on the Saturday, 3 games in 6 days. Chelsea had their game on Sunday postponed, played on the Tuesday at home and then travelled across London for todays game. It does not seem like an even contest. It does feel this have fallen more kindly for Chelsea. I’m not say a 2-1 lose is great but it could of been a lot worse considering all the factors been the two teams.
Lmao. I know we are all calling for Jonas’ head but I really think Clare Wheatley should follow him out the door. Probably the worst executive in the WSL. First time in 10 years we’ve failed to win 3 consecutive home games, conceded 9 goals in 3 games vs City, Bayern, and Chelsea. About to be 5 behind City and we still have to go away to Chelsea and City in the league. League over before MD 6 is hilarious. Where exactly is the hope to cling on to? It’s all fallen apart and the players obviously need something new.… Read more »
Went to the game. Thought we deserved a point today for the second half performance, but you just can’t give as good a team as Chelsea a two goal start. Based on that performance really don’t think any of the “Eidevall has lost the team” guff that will no doubt be said by a few people holds any water. More looks like a team short of confidence. A few of our forwards need goals by any means necessary, off any parts of their bodies. So it’s one point from six against our two biggest rivals, when we probably should have… Read more »
Taken in isolation, this is a respectable performance, and we should probably feel a bit hard done by not to at least secure a draw (has any team been more severely punished for momentary lapses in focus/intensity?). However, Chelsea never really got out of second gear and seemed happy enough to soak up pressure confident that we couldn’t score. Sadly, it is hard to envisage us reaching / returning-to title-winning, CL-competing levels under this regime.
I was pretty sure they wouldn’t sack him before the end of the season but the way he answered these questions makes me think it’s actually possible
Have to be and must be possible as Arsenal women is now 6th in the placing after 4 matches.
He doesn’t seem interested in addressing any of the flaws in his training, preparation, or playing style regardless of the opponent or of recent results. Very angeball
Time to go. We need a reset.
I think its fair to say we where the better team over 90 minutes. Still Chelsea had more shots on target and I think they created better chances then we did. You never see our players link up like Kaneryd, James and Baltimore did for their second goal. Our players doesnt have that chemistry and understanding of each other and that is a big concern. You win matches by winning duels and being strong in both penalty-areas, today Chelsea where far better then us when it comes to those things. We are very good between the penalty-areas but very poor… Read more »
So if Jonas gets sacked, who comes in?
Careful what you wish for!!!
My problem is that JE is not using all his players and not to the best effect.
Jonas lost his mojo
Good players need encouragement