There is no hiding that last night’s 2-0 defeat to Madrid was suboptimal for Arsenal. On an absolute bog of a pitch, I was reasonably comfortable with a 1-0 deficit, with the game played on a surface that created less jeopardy, I felt 1-0 was eminently rescuable. I still think that Arsenal can turn this tie around but the second goal was undoubtedly a hammer blow.
Slegers started with Stina Blackstenius upfront and when that happens, it is nearly always because Arsenal believe there will be space in behind the opponent’s defending line and that was true earlier in the game. The conditions played into the tactic too, the ball was far more likely to hold up on a pitch that might as well have been caked in syrup, making the ball in behind more viable.
I felt it was a perfectly legitimate tactic but two things derailed it. Firstly, Madrid scored with pretty much their first meaningful attack. I think Arsenal are unfortunate on this goal and the pitch is the major factor in the ball escaping Williamson and dribbling through to Caicedo. However, Caicedo is a player you just do not doubt when she goes through on goal.
Once Madrid took the lead, they were far happier to sit back and look to play on the break, using Caicedo’s immense threat on the counter. Madrid consistently played diagonal out balls to Caicedo so she could get dribbling opportunities. It was something Madrid did very well. But with the lead, Madrid dropped their defensive line deeper and there was no more high defensive line.
Secondly, Arsenal just leant too much into the tactic and ended up banging balls in behind and losing possession, sacrificing control and the ability to build pressure and pin Madrid back. Slegers corrected at half-time and Kelly and Foord with Russo moved back upfront gave Arsenal the opportunity to control possession as much as the surface would allow.
I think Arsenal were largely unlucky to concede and the pitch made moving the ball and the Madrid defensive block around quickly enough very difficult. Fine, get out with a 1-0 defeat and take it back to the Emirates. The second goal was a dagger, the Arsenal defence, perhaps still in a state of fear from Caicedo’s raids down that flank, backs off and backs off Athenea and Zinsberger just has to save that shot.
Madrid had five shots, three were on target and they scored twice. Arsenal had 12 and two of their shots were on target. A lot of that was dictated by conceding first and allowing Madrid to be able to sit in a low block and make good shooting opportunities at a premium. But there is no doubt that Arsenal will lament their inefficiency in both boxes.
There is a concern over how Arsenal recover into space and defend high turnover situations. Shakeira Martinez, Olivia Smith and Linda Caicedo have caused issues for Arsenal in transition in recent weeks. I asked Renee Slegers about this post-match and she admitted, ‘it is something we need to look at, yes.’ Defending against Olivia Smith again on Saturday will be a good trial run for facing Caicedo again.
Arsenal can point to the pitch as an equalising factor but they can’t keep doing that. I think they can still over turn the deficit next week but they have to defend far better in transition and they have to be ruthless in both boxes. Madrid were efficient in both penalty areas and that is why Slegers and her team are licking their wounds this morning.