Arsenal were 4-0 victors over Reading in the WSL on Sunday evening thanks to goals from Kim Little, Frida Maanum an Emma Mitchell own goal and Leah Williamson. Jonas Eidevall spoke to the press post-match, the first three questions are from Arseblog News.
On playing Katie McCabe and Caitlin Foord on their natural sides…
Yes, it was the same idea as Aston Villa and West Ham away. That time we were not successful enough at converting those goal scoring opportunities but today we were.
Captain Kim Little slots home from the penalty spot! 🎯#BarclaysWSL @ArsenalWFC pic.twitter.com/1gM627ib4i
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 12, 2023
On Leah Williamson’s performance in midfield…
Definitely her best match I have seen her play in midfield. Sometimes I feel like you don’t get her facing forward enough in midfield. Today we got her facing forward but in more advanced positions. How today played out was probably the optimum scenario for having Leah as a central midfielder because you get one of the best passers in the world but you get it 15 metres higher up than you do as a central defender and she can break lines and engage in the final third. That really helped our attack today.
That @CaitlinFoord 🔗 @FMaanum link-up! 🥶
Maanum doubles @ArsenalWFC's lead from close-range! #BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/FtujJx74pF
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 12, 2023
On several players playing in more than one position today…
We have been forced into it a bit. It is kind of nice as well because we test, we see, we work out that we have great versatility. You see Noelle Maritz as a left full-back today and I think she was brilliant, she played one of her best games this season. That is very, very impressive.
3-0. Own Goal. pic.twitter.com/4g2At4n2WE
— AWFCLIPS (@awfclips) March 12, 2023
On being able to rotate in-game with five substitutions…
It was one of the better games we have played in offence, it was enjoyable to see us play. I think it is even more nice when you look at the week we have come through. After the (Conti Cup) Final we played Liverpool, who had a long time to prepare and we have a short time. We played Reading, they had a lot of time to prepare for this game and we had a short time. That is difficult but we made it look easy this week and that’s because the players handled it so well.
On whether Arsenal should have scored more today…
Yes but we have to be realistic. Reading only lost to Manchester United and Chelsea by one goal, they haven’t conceded more than three goals in a game this season. We have to look at it from that point of view, they don’t lose by a lot of goals often. They work extremely hard for each other. Us playing really good football and winning 4-0 off the back of a three game week, today I can’t be too critical.
Popping up at the back post – @leahcwilliamson! 🎯
She has been on 🔥 against Reading! #BarclaysWSL @ArsenalWFC pic.twitter.com/kSohDSnxeS
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 12, 2023
On preparation for Bayern Munich in nine days time…
It is a nice opportunity for us to train, we are not spoiled with those opportunities so we will try to make the most of that. We prepare not only for Bayern Munich but Tottenham and Manchester City and the way that we want to play our game model, we are going to work on that. Hopefully that will give us fresh legs, fresh minds to attack the Champions League quarter-final.
1.Zinsberger; 26.Wienroither (21.Pelova ‘60), 3.Wubben-Moy, 2.Rafaelle, 16.Maritz; 6.Williamson (22.Kuhl ‘72), 13.Walti (20.Gio ‘83), 10.Little(c); 15.McCabe, 19.Foord (17.Hurtig ‘72); 12.Maanum (25.Blackstenius ‘60).
I guess the league is kind of gone now (can’t see Chelsea slipping up) so Champions League would be amazing to do well in
The fight for top 3 finish and Champions League qualification will likely be decided on small margins. Have to keep winning in the league and improving the goal difference or else no Champions League next season
It was pleasing to see such a good crowd at a very rainy Meadow Park this evening. The supporters are developing a great relationship with this team. I agree that it was Leah’s best game in midfield but there was lots else to be cheered by. We can only employ her in this position because Lotte can slot in so well. Noëlle did really well playing on the left. Where I sit is on the right wing when we’re attacking the North Bank. You can’t be sure what’s happening on the other side of the pitch, but I had a… Read more »
A very enjoyable “Arsenal” Sunday afternoon and evening in buzzing Borehamwood. Never thought I’d ever say that about The Wood!
Red & White in much evidence in Shenley Road bars and bistros as the men battered Fulham to the chorus of “North London Forever!”
Followed by more of the same in front of a sold out Meadow Park. Remarkable turnaround in mood of optimism in eight days since the comprehensive defeat of Chelski and The Salty One.
Despite the injury roster still being overloaded maybe a season where “we win a lot” is not beyond us.
“The Salty One”
Well Played…
I see Adidas came through for JE with a new coat!
I haven’t been able to watch the game yet, but four goals sounds great and 4,000 fans is excellent.
Fantastic win by the AWFC.
A beautifully well worked display by a team who are showing that they can adapt and play out of their normal positions. It was a joy to watch and Leah was fully deserving of Player of the Match.
Lovely high tempo, one-touch passing especially in the first half. In the second half, with the substitutions, it was like the players were tagging each other in – like WWE but with football moves. I nearly wrote “dance moves” because it was so beautifully choreographed. My only concern is that while our build-up was slick and skilful our finishing was poor on the whole. It’s improving, but we’ll need to be better against Bayern.
And I was gobsmacked by how good Maritz was on the left.
She was very good indeed.