How Arsenal overloaded central areas to overcome Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
Key tactical switch gave Arsenal midfield dominance in 2-0 win
Arsenal secured their most impressive win of the season with a 2-0 win away at London rivals Chelsea on Saturday.
The Gunners are the first WSL team to inflict defeat on the Blues at Stamford Bridge, and the win ensured that Arsenal remain ahead of Manchester United in the race for the Champions League spots.
Here’s how a win that will live long in the memory was secured.
Ahead of the match, Renee Slegers was asked about the importance of making a fast start at a ground where, until this weekend, Chelsea had never suffered a WSL defeat. The answer to that question was played out in emphatic fashion on the pitch.
Arsenal dominated the early stages of the match, registering five shots in the first seven minutes, and they would go on to enjoy 59% possession in the first half. Key to this was how the Gunners were able to crowd the centre of the pitch in order to dominate the ball.
Beth Mead, who was the difference maker on the afternoon with a goal and assist, exemplified this approach. The 2022 Ballon D’or runner-up has seen her role tweaked this season, so seeing her take up more central positions is nothing new. With Mead and Caitlin Foord Arsenal’s only available recognised wingers, Slegers chose to double down on her team’s strength in the centre of the pitch, rather than trying to recreate the sort of wide threat offered by the suspended Olivia Smith or the injured Chloe Kelly.
