On October 20, 2024, Suzanne Wrack noted that Arsenal faced a challenging match against West Ham, securing a 2-0 victory that marked their second consecutive win in both the Champions League and the Women’s Super League, following Jonas Eidevall’s resignation. The breakthrough came after 71 minutes, with Mariona Caldentey scoring from the penalty spot, followed by Rosa Kafaji sealing the win with a well-placed shot.
In your view, how did Eidevall’s departure impact the team’s performance? It was widely considered that the changes in Arsenal’s fortunes wouldn’t be immediate. Eidevall’s influence over the past three to four years created a distinct style of play. Despite the win against West Ham, many believe the underlying issues that have affected Arsenal over recent matches still persist. While managerial changes can sometimes yield quick improvements, these are often temporary.
What challenges does interim manager Renée Slegers face? Slegers had limited time to implement any significant changes, and she may be hesitant to take bold risks as she assesses the team. Arsenal had found some success in their previous match against Vålerenga, where they broke through stubborn defenses, but facing the WSL teams presents a different level of challenge.
Examining the broader league, Manchester City reclaimed the top position with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, needing to come from behind for the third consecutive match. Gabi Nunes initially put the Villans ahead, but goals from Lauren Hemp and Jill Roord clinched the win for City.
At Chelsea, two stunning goals from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd propelled the team to a commanding 5-2 victory against Tottenham, despite the absence of Lauren James due to injury. The game featured a controversial equalizer from Spurs, raising questions about goal-line decisions.
Leicester City also found some momentum, achieving their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Everton, thanks to a goal from Yuka Momiki. Meanwhile, Liverpool managed to secure a point against Crystal Palace with Cornelia Kapocs’ late equalizer after Katie Stengel had given Palace an early lead.
As Arsenal faced off against West Ham, could we consider the match a true test of whether the team could rise in the wake of Eidevall’s exit? Last season’s 2-1 loss to West Ham was pivotal for the Gunners, as teams outside the top three learned to exploit Arsenal’s weaknesses by letting them dominate possession and then executing solid defensive strategies.
How did the match dynamics unfold? West Ham sought to limit Arsenal’s attacking threat and it wasn’t until the 20th minute that Arsenal recorded their first significant attempt on goal. After several near misses, the introduction of substitutes such as Kyra Cooney-Cross, Beth Mead, Kafaji, and Stina Blackstenius proved crucial. They quickly earned a penalty, which Caldentey successfully converted, then Kafaji’s goal ultimately quelled West Ham’s resistance.
With this victory, Arsenal remains five points behind Manchester City, sitting in fifth place. The upcoming international break will provide a critical opportunity for the team to regroup and reevaluate as they strive to make headway in the league.
