It feels barely jarring to be speaking about season-defining fixtures three weeks into a brand new marketing campaign, however Arsenal’s puzzling begin has prompted the dialog.
Their most up-to-date end result, a dull draw in opposition to Everton, was notably deflating as an incapacity to interrupt groups down reared its ugly head as soon as extra.
This isn’t the primary time Jonas Eidevall has confronted tactical examination. It is unlikely to be the final. But it surely simply so occurs that Sunday’s stalemate was the warm-up for an enormous week within the fixture calendar, the place Arsenal journey to Bayern Munich within the Champions League earlier than internet hosting Chelsea at Emirates Stadium.
Acquainted issues are resurfacing. A operating theme of the Eidevall period has been a wastefulness in entrance of purpose, and on paper, there appears to be little conceivable justification for such profligacy. The Gunners have a treasure trove of high-profile forwards – Beth Mead, Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius – who’re all in a position to rotate throughout a fluid frontline.
They signed Mariona Caldentey in the summertime, who provides versatility, and to enhance additional, Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum supply efficiency. However one thing feels off. Throughout their three opening WSL video games, Arsenal have solely managed 14 pictures on course, which ranks sixth amongst groups to have performed the identical variety of video games. Their three targets places them eighth.
It’s a must to go all the way in which again to March 2009 to seek out the final time Everton saved a clear sheet in opposition to Arsenal. Aim-machine Julie Fleeting and Lionesses icon Rachel Yankey have been within the Gunners’ squad. Gordon Brown was nonetheless Prime Minister.
The info tells a compelling story of Arsenal’s slog. They accomplished 221 last third passes (for context, Everton accomplished 23), had 45 touches within the opposition field, 21 pictures, however solely 5 hit the goal – of these 5, all have been taken exterior the field. Maanum’s seven makes an attempt represented a league-high.
All 5 of Arsenal’s makes an attempt in opposition to Everton got here from exterior the field, producing a low xG
However clear-cut openings have been so few and much between that Arsenal completed the sport with an anticipated targets worth of solely 0.74, regardless of being camped within the Everton half – Laia Codina and Emily Fox have been the one two outfield gamers to spend extra time in their very own defensive half.
Arsenal have been camped in Everton’s half however did not power many clear-cut openings
None of that breakdown serves to encourage confidence, notably given Arsenal’s assortment of attacking riches. “I think we should have much higher demands and standards on ourselves in our attacking game,” Eidevall mirrored afterwards. Correcting that actuality forward of a vastly defining week is now Eidevall’s biggest problem.
Zoom out, and the broad angle paints a fair grimmer image of the issues Eidevall faces. Arsenal high the charts for Opta-defined huge possibilities created this time period, however sit all-time low for large possibilities transformed, having scored two of 10. Regression is starting to take maintain. Their nearest rival is Tottenham, who’ve missed six, however nonetheless managed to attain eight occasions.
Maybe, there’s something off-kilter in regards to the complexion of Eidevall’s beginning alternatives? It does appear odd that each Russo and Mead have been dropped for the opening sport in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, whereas Foord and Steph Catley are nonetheless unable to nail down an everyday place. Thrilling younger ahead Rosa Kafaji has virtually definitely been underused.
Weird, too, that Arsenal are but to discover a formation that matches persistently. To date, Eidevall has toyed with a 4-2-3-1 in opposition to Metropolis, a 4-4-2 in opposition to Leicester and a 4-3-3 in opposition to Everton. None have seemed like an excessively convincing recipe for scoring targets, and laboured finish product has been the offshoot.
All that stated, and for enough steadiness, this isn’t the time for knee-jerk reactions. Moreover, that is not Arsenal’s type. They’ve Mikel Arteta as excellent proof {that a} long-term imaginative and prescient and perception in a strategic plan can bridle lots of soccer’s most fierce criticisms. After all it helps in case you can win soccer matches, too.
Jonas Eidevall was vital of Arsenal’s attacking show in opposition to Everton
Eidevall has gained 49 of his 69 WSL matches (D10 L10) and victory in opposition to Chelsea this weekend would make him the second-quickest supervisor to achieve the 50-wins milestone, behind solely his predecessor Joe Montemurro, who did it in 66 video games.
In spite of everything, this Arsenal squad is simply too proficient to be struggling, now it is all the way down to Eidevall to show fault-finding into gas for fulfillment. An announcement win in opposition to Chelsea could be a great place to start out.
WSL dwell on Sky this weekend!
Sunday thirteenth October 11:30am
Kick off 12:30pm
Sunday thirteenth October 2:45pm
Kick off 3:00pm
