Arsenal’s early-season struggles have raised familiar concerns, as they head into a crucial Women’s Super League (WSL) fixture against Chelsea. Following a disappointing goalless draw with Everton, these issues have resurfaced at a time when the team should be hitting its stride. Coming off the back of a 5-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, the pressure on manager Jonas Eidevall to find solutions has intensified. With Chelsea looming, Arsenal’s season could hinge on how they respond to this latest challenge.
The conversation around Arsenal’s faltering start may seem premature, given the season is just a few weeks old. However, the inability to finish chances and break down teams is not a new issue for Eidevall’s side. Despite an abundance of attacking talent, this trend has become a frustrating hallmark of his tenure. Sunday’s draw against Everton has only fueled doubts about the team’s offensive capabilities, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash with Chelsea, who come to the Emirates Stadium as reigning champions.
The challenge Eidevall faces is not a lack of quality. Arsenal boasts a roster packed with world-class attacking options like Beth Mead, Alessia Russo, and Stina Blackstenius, all of whom have the ability to rotate and adapt across the forward line. New signing Mariona Caldentey brings additional versatility, while Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum are capable of providing a real cutting edge in front of goal. Yet, something isn’t quite clicking, and this is reflected in the team’s underwhelming output so far this season. In their first three WSL matches, Arsenal have registered just 14 shots on target, a figure that places them sixth among teams who have played the same number of games. Even more concerning, their tally of just three goals ranks them eighth, a far cry from what would be expected from a team of their caliber.
To put this into perspective, Arsenal hadn’t been held to a goalless draw by Everton since 2009. Back then, the squad included icons like Julie Fleeting and Rachel Yankey, and Gordon Brown was still Prime Minister. Fast forward to now, and the data tells a story of unfulfilled potential. Arsenal completed 221 passes in the final third against Everton, compared to just 23 from their opponents, had 45 touches in the opposition’s penalty area, and took 21 shots. However, only five of those shots were on target, all from outside the box. Despite Maanum’s best efforts, with her seven attempts a league-high, clear-cut chances were scarce, leading to an expected goals value of just 0.74. This reflects the lack of high-quality opportunities Arsenal were able to create, even though they spent much of the game in Everton’s half.
Arsenal Goal Drought: Why the Chelsea Match Could Define Their Season
For all the talent at Eidevall’s disposal, Arsenal’s struggles in front of goal are perplexing. The team is currently top of the WSL when it comes to creating big chances, according to Opta data, yet they rank last in converting those opportunities. Out of the 10 clear-cut chances they have generated, they have only managed to score two. By comparison, their North London rivals Tottenham have missed six big chances but still scored eight goals. This inefficiency in front of goal is something Arsenal cannot afford to continue if they are to challenge for the title this season.
Eidevall himself has acknowledged the need for improvement, stating after the Everton match that the team should have higher expectations when it comes to their attacking play. Finding a solution before facing Chelsea will be crucial, as another underwhelming performance could deepen the sense of regression that has crept into Arsenal’s season.
Looking ahead, the match against Chelsea is more than just another WSL fixture; it’s a pivotal moment that could define Arsenal’s season. Eidevall must find a way to ignite the spark that has been missing in front of goal, or risk falling further behind in the title race. The quality is undoubtedly there, but it needs to be translated into results, starting with this weekend’s showdown.
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