Retour
That’s all from me today. I’ll leave you with Tom Garry’s match report from Anfield.
Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers tells Sky Sports: “Very good for us, of course. Liverpool away is a difficult game. It’s an honour to play at Anfield, it’s a historic ground. I’m just happy with the three points. We didn’t get them last weekend at home and we really needed them.
“You could see the way the team came out in the first half, good with a lot of energy. Scored two really good goals. Liverpool are a good team, they spent a lot of time in possession so there was sometimes a lot more time than we usually spend out of possession and we had to defend well. They asked us questions towards the end of the game, there was so much fight, passion and pride for the club to defend our goal with everything we could. There were bodies on the line, I’m just really proud that we showed that character and did everything we could to get the win over the line.”
Bill sent this email just before kick-off:
“I can’t help looking at the Arsenal line up and thinking ‘that’s a good team’. So what happened, and how can it be improved?
“Did they lose players who brought spirit over the summer? Are they aging? Is there a gloom or lack of belief, or even lack of ambition in the camp? Is there a position that is lacking (e.g. striker), or even a position or role that is a particular problem (e.g. striker / scoring goals)?
“Is all of this the sort of thing that a new manager needs to address? I kinda hope not. I really like Renée. But maybe that’s the issue - she’s too likeable? Ah well. COYG.”
To me, it feels like Arsenal don’t really have a player who can grab their team-mates and the game by the scruff of the neck when things are not going their way. Katie McCabe had that ability – but she made the move across London to Chelsea this summer. Beth Mead also had the ability to come on and change games, but, of course, she is now at Manchester City.
It also feels like Arsenal have become quite predictable in the way they approach games and play. Teams know what to expect, so they can find a way to beat them.
Of course, that would be down to Slegers, but I also think the players need to take some responsibility for not being clinical enough when they do get chances.