Selina Cerci has given Renée Slegers another major attacking decision ahead of Arsenal Women’s trip to Chelsea after playing a decisive role in the dramatic Champions League victory over HB Køge.
Arsenal appeared destined for another frustrating result on Tuesday night after dominating possession without finding a breakthrough.
That changed deep into stoppage time.
Cerci was brought down inside the penalty area before Mariona Caldentey converted the resulting spot-kick to secure a 1-0 victory.
The BBC’s match report described Arsenal as wasteful for much of the evening but confirmed that Cerci was tripped to create the decisive penalty.
It gives Slegers something significant to consider before Sunday’s Women’s Super League meeting with Chelsea.
Cerci makes another impact from Arsenal bench
Cerci’s involvement is particularly interesting because she was not included in Arsenal’s heavily rotated starting XI against HB Køge.
UEFA confirms Slegers instead began with Chloe Kelly, Stina Blackstenius and Caitlin Foord as her front three.
Cerci nevertheless found a way to influence the result when Arsenal desperately needed somebody to make something happen inside the penalty area.
It was not her first encouraging contribution from the bench either.
Cerci also featured during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United, entering as Slegers attempted to change the game late on.
As our Arsenal Women player ratings against Manchester United examined, she gave Arsenal another presence inside the penalty area and was herself involved in a late penalty appeal.
Two consecutive substitute appearances have therefore shown the same underlying quality.
Cerci is willing to occupy dangerous central areas and attack defenders rather than simply circulate possession around them.
That matters for an Arsenal attack that has repeatedly struggled to transform territorial dominance into goals.
Arsenal attacking problem remains despite HB Køge win
The manner of Tuesday’s victory cannot simply be ignored because Caldentey eventually converted the winner.
Arsenal again spent long periods controlling the game without generating enough high-quality opportunities.
That follows the issue identified in our analysis of Arsenal Women’s attacking problems before the HB Køge game.
Slegers possesses enormous attacking depth.
Blackstenius, Alessia Russo, Kelly, Foord, Olivia Smith, Lisa Baum and Cerci all offer different qualities.
The challenge is finding the right combination.
Cerci does not necessarily need to start at Stamford Bridge for her performance against HB Køge to matter.
However, she has strengthened the argument for a more substantial role.
Chelsea could require greater directness
Chelsea represent a very different challenge.
The Blues host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 27 September, with kick-off scheduled for 4.30pm. Chelsea have confirmed the fixture as their first major London derby of the new WSL season.
Arsenal are unlikely to enjoy the same level of territorial dominance they had against HB Køge.
That could make direct runners even more valuable.
Cerci was signed during the summer specifically to add goals, movement and intensity to Arsenal’s forward options, as we explored following her arrival from Hoffenheim.
Her willingness to attack the penalty area offers something slightly different when Arsenal need to increase the tempo.
Against Chelsea, those moments could be even more important.
Slegers now has another genuine selection dilemma
Slegers used the Champions League opener to rotate extensively.
Chelsea should bring many of Arsenal’s established starters back into contention.
Russo will push to lead the line. Caldentey should return to the starting XI. Smith, Kelly, Foord and Blackstenius all remain strong options.
Cerci has nevertheless made herself considerably harder to overlook.
The German forward did not need a goal against HB Køge to influence the outcome.
She attacked the space Arsenal had struggled to penetrate, forced the decisive defensive mistake and created the moment from which Caldentey won the match.
With Chelsea next, Slegers now has another attacking option demanding serious consideration.
Mariona Caldentey stoppage-time penalty rescues Arsenal Women in HB Køge UWCL opener
Mariona Caldentey stoppage-time penalty rescues Arsenal Women in HB Køge UWCL opener
Arsenal Women Champions League squad confirms four List B youngster inclusions
Arsenal Women Champions League squad confirms four List B youngster inclusions