Arsenal end winless run but issues remain for Slegers

Drab 1-0 win over Brighton eases pressure on fifth-placed Gunners

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Arsenal returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Brighton in the WSL on Sunday.

On a day where a positive result was of the utmost importance, Renee Slegers’ side were not entirely convincing, but did enough to get the three points. The Gunners headed into the match on a run of four matches without a win and couldn’t afford to slip any further behind in the WSL title race.

For the second weekend in a row, this was a match in which Arsenal were unable to build on early momentum they had created. In the first 20 minutes, they had five shots and took the lead through a Marisa Olislagers own-goal. However, they could not capitalise on this dominant start to the match, failing to have a shot in the first half beyond the 19^th minute. At the break. Brighton had created more xG than the home side.

Once again, central progression was an issue for Arsenal. As had been the case against Lyon in the 2-1 defeat in the Champions League midweek, Slegers’ side showed a clear left-sided bias in build-up. As a result, Mariona Caldentey was drifting heavily to the left, creating a triangle between herself, Katie McCabe, and Caitlin Foord. When this worked Arsenal were able to get at the Brighton backline, be that through releasing Foord, or working the ball to Olivia Smith on the right, having dragged Brighton’s defence across to their left. During this good Arsenal start, Smith was Arsenal’s best player; having three shots in the opening 20 minutes and causing Brighton’s own goal after her square ball aimed for Alessia Russo was deflected in.

After a strong start from Arsenal, Brighton grew into the game and began playing with confidence. Arsenal building through the wide areas gave the Seagulls the confidence to press them high, and while this didn’t lead to the sort of mistakes playing out from the back that Arsenal had made against Lyon in the week, it did stifle the Gunners.

On top of this, Brighton had some nice moments when playing out from the back themselves, picking up spaces between Arsenal’s midfield and defensive lines, which could have been punished with a better final ball. Kiko Seike was particularly dangerous. On 37 minutes she was able to beat McCabe for pace, forcing a save from the angle from Daphne van Domselaar.

Arsenal’s performance in the second half was improved. They managed twice the number of shots as they had registered in the first half, and finished the game looking more likely to score a second than concede an equaliser. Key to all of this was the performance of the subs, and in particular, Kyra Cooney-Cross.

Earlier in the week, in an interview with The Australian, Cooney-Cross spoke of her frustration at the lack of game time she has been getting this season for Arsenal. Yet to start a game for the Gunners this campaign, she came on to a big reception from a 27,000 strong Emirates crowd.

In a 26-minute cameo, Cooney-Cross produced an energetic performance emblematic of a player trying to catch the eye of her manager. During her time on the pitch, she was moving the ball forward quickly and receiving on the turn to take opponents out of the game. The Australian’s performance breathed life into an Arsenal side that had been looking lethargic. She completed four dribbles, the most of any Arsenal player, despite only being on for less than half an hour.

Asked about Cooney-Cross’ performance, Slegers said in her post-match press conference: “Kyra was really great when she came on, she’s such a great ball carrier and shows so much intent, she did really well for us today”.

When asked by The Cutback if this was the sort of performance she wanted to see from a player trying to force her way into the team, Slegers spoke about the importance of bringing on players who can bring energy against tired legs: “Of course the game has opened up, spaces are bigger and Brighton are tired, you see in games where intensity goes down and spaces get bigger that game-changers can have a real impact and that’s 100% what Kyra did”. Slegers went on to praise Cooney Cross’ front-footed style of play, adding: “She plays with a lot of confidence and forward intent”.

Another sub who benefitted from playing against tired legs was Stina Blackstenius. The Swedish centre-forward had three shots in the game, amassing 0.4 xG during her time on the pitch. The Swede will have been disappointed not to find the net, but the amount of problems she was able to cause Brighton will encourage her manager.

This was a day where getting the result trumped the quality of performance. With Chelsea and Manchester United winning earlier in the day, Arsenal could not afford to lose any more ground on their rivals. With a return to Lisbon – the city in which Arsenal enjoyed one of their greatest days just a few months ago – on the horizon in the Champions League, Slegers will hope that this result will spark a turnaround that allows Arsenal to build upon that golden moment experienced back in May.