Arsenal Women suffered their first defeat in 13 games on Sunday as they played Chelsea in a WSL London derby at Stamford Bridge. With a late penalty, Chelsea snatched a 1-0 win.
Going into this game, there was so much hope about what our Gunner women had to offer, with captain Kim Little saying “We need to beat Chelsea really, it’s as simple as that.” Unfortunately it was Little that gave away the controversial penalty – controversial because a VAR check would probably not have awarded it.. In my opinion, having replayed that moment many times over on Youtube, Kim didn’t take Lauren James down. Kim had slid in for the ball then James ‘did the trip’. Really interested to hear your thoughts on this, though obviously it won’t change the outcome..

The girls had managed to go unbeaten against some of the finest teams: Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Tottenham Hotspur. In 13 games, Arsenal had picked up 12 wins and a draw (1-1 against Manchester United. Our Gunners were flying high, scoring goals for fun and keeping clean sheets as if their lives depended on it. Arsenal were back competing, and we certainly believed we could beat Chelsea.
So, some of us Gooners were confident going into that clash with Chelsea, and we really did give a good account of ourselves—the stats suggest so.
Our girls dominated possession, 54% to 46%. They were defensively sound, making the most blocks (5), and Daphne van Domselaar made the most saves (8)—6 more than Hannah Hampton. It’s just that the Arsenal Women’s attack had a bad day at the office, not taking advantage of their dominance in possession, especially in the first half. Our girls only had 10 goal attempts (Chelsea had 21), and managed 2 shots on target (Chelsea had 9), and didn’t have a big chance (Chelsea had 6).
Renee, in her post-match press conference, perfectly summarized her team’s performance. She said they really competed, hence Chelsea only needing a penalty for the win. She felt if they’d buried their chances, things would have been different (she was so confident about that she felt if only they were afforded a rematch, they would have shown it).
She said of how close she thought they pushed Chelsea:
“I think we’re improving as a team, definitely in how we handle different phases of the game. I think we do that better and better, and that we’re psychologically in a state where we can stay in the game, whatever happens in the game. I think that’s important in top games like this. So I’m very happy with that development and if I could play the game again today, I would want to play the game again, because I think we are good enough to do more against Chelsea. So if we’d been more clinical with the chances, I think we can definitely measure up to them. So we’re disappointed with the loss.”
I don’t know about you, but I feel that game, if not for that controversial penalty and the red card, Arsenal would have avoided a defeat to Chelsea. In fact, one would have looked at Mariona Caldentey or Alessia Russo to snatch a late winner for Arsenal, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
What are your thoughts Gooners?
Michelle M
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My thoughts are you are looking through rose tinted glasses Michelle M.
Yes Arsenal competed well, but with your stats and you saying that we didn’t take our chances.
Well Chelsea had 6 good chances and to didn’t take them, so going by your logic that means that the right team won on this occasion.
Sad gooners who still think they are a top,top team. Reality is Chelsea are far superior with, probably, the strongest deepest squad in world football.
I AM OF THE GROUP WHO THINKS IT WASN T A PENALTY, THOUGH IT S HARD FOR A REF TO GET ITRIGHT WITHOUT VAR … MY OVERALL FEELING IS THAT THIS IS SPORT, WE WANNA WIN OF COURSE BUT AT TIMES WE WILL LOSE, WE CAN LOVE THE SPORT ANYWAY, THE KEY IS NOW FOR OUR TEAM TO LEARN FROM THE EXPERIENCE AND BE ALL THE BETTER FOR IT… KATIE HOPEFULLY CAN LEARN TOO, THAT THE USE OF ANGLO – SAXON EXPLETIVES AT THE REF (IF THAT IS WHAT IT WAS), IN THE REF S FACE, IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE, UNBECOMING OF OUR CLUB AND UNLIKELY TO FURTHER HER CAUSE, NOR ARSENAL S CAUSE … NOMATTER HOW GOOD A PLAYER SHE IS AND HOW WRONG THE REF S DECISION MAY HAVE BEEN. BLESS HER HEART, I UNDERSTAND SHE WAS UPSET, BUT EVEN SO I HOPE SHE HAS LEARNED ”TO REIN IT IN” !
it s easy for armchair Potts to be clever and say ‘learn from the experience’, so here s some specific thoughts
1. when faced with a strong physical team like Chelsea possession is crucial, we gave the ball away too much on Sunday, cut out loose passes !
2 be very careful in our own penalty area, without VAR even legitimate tackles can concede penalties b/c refs are not perfect …but also be careful not to tap it around from goal kicks, building from the back is ok but only if done safely, use the long ball more as Williamson does
3 always be very ready for counter attacks especially if opponents play 4-4-2 or even low block
4 ALWAYS start with Walti
5 bring Illestedt back in defence, bring Reid in as a regular as soon as sensibly possible, i think try her in central midfield, until then use Codina or Wubben – Moy there (Little is wonderful but will sadly need replacing, inevitably due to age)
6 Keep faith in van Domsellar, Williamson, Catley and Mead…Meado played and fought well on Sunday, small things in games result in goals or misses, it wasn t her lucky day with those 2 chances, but she will return to devastating magic
7 build on Russo – Caldentey – Mead interplay with fast one touch football, but start with Blackstenius and Kafaji in some games
8 play Foord, Maanum and Cooney Cross as much as possible but rotate at 60 minutes for energy, make at substitutions at the same time for maximum effect
9 Mc Cabe is a great player but threaten to take away her role as 3rd reserve captain if she can t or won t ‘rein it in’
10 try and get Hurtig to be available more
i will shut up now
Evan Potts,
Firstly you talk as much as you like.
Secondly, I’d just like to comments on a certain Katie McCabe.
While she is a good player, and a senior player don’t forget, her ill discipline needs to be checked by the manager.
I’ve wrote pieces on other pages on this subject, something we’ve spoke about before Evan.
She seems to look upon a yellow card as a badge of honour. And the commentators don’t help either, with there McCabe’s been booked again surprise surprise remarks.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, unless she curbs her habit of getting involved with things that don’t concern her, one day she’s going to miss out on a major game or final through suspension.
Now as I said earlier, she’s a good player and a senior one at that. But it’s time that the manager pulls her aside and has a word with her, because she’s been getting away with her ill discipline for to long now, and it’s got to stop.😉👍
Thank you Derek
i realise Katie McCabe is a great player, a high spirited, energetic, open person who says what she thinks, she is what she is, yet surely the time has come for her to change, to behave responsibly, the yellow card and red cards are badges of shame, not badges of honour, lol, and yes we want to play with 11 on the field not 10, i agree with you, i hope the manager steps in to avert future problems
we may not know it, but i will hope to see a new Katie McCabe grace our future games
Evan Potts,
I’m hearing rumours that we’re about to sign another left back.
Maybe this will concentrate a certain Katie McCabe’s mind.
Apart from Catley, she’s pretty much a guaranteed starter, maybe this will shake her up a little bit. (Hopefully in the right way🤦♂️).