Arsenal gave themselves a much-needed boost with a 4-1 victory over Valerenga in the Champions League.
In the first match of their post-Jonas Eidevall era, interim boss Renee Slegers’ chargers ended up with a comfortable victory, but it was not without its tense moments.
The Gunners dominated the first half-hour and could easily have had more reward than the two goals they scored from Emily Fox and Caitlin Foord.
But Valerenga netted with their first shot in anger from Olaug Tvedten ten minutes before the break and Karina Saevik spurned a golden chance to level the scores seven minutes into the second half.
Stina Blackstenius’ impact as a late sub was profound and she set up Mariona Caldentey for the crucial third, before the latter turned provider for Alessia Russo’s goal. Victory puts the Gunners above Juventus into second in the group.
Talking Point – All’s well that end’s well
Given their start to the campaign, it would have been a real gauge of Arsenal’s mindset if Saevik had brought Valerenga level early in the second half.
Their opening goal with barely over a minute on the clock calmed nerves, which must have been more frayed than usual given their manager’s departure less than 48 hours before kick off.
Though the two late goals were harsh on Valerenga, the Gunners created numerous chances, with Tove Enblom’s saves reaching double figures. They also hit the woodwork on a couple of occasions.
The performance will give Arsenal real hope that under Slegers and the eventual permanent boss they can look ahead to better times.
Player of the Match – Mariona Caldentey
Many of the classy moments from the game involved the Gunners No. 8. Often she carried the ball from central areas to the cusp of the penalty area to create opportunites, and when the game needed clinching in the late stages she was on hand to score. Her pass for the fourth was exceptional, too.
Player Ratings
Arsenal: Van Domselaar 6; Fox 7, Williamson 7, Laia Codina 6, McCabe 6; Walti 6, Little 6; Mariona Caldentey 9*, Foord 8, Mead 7; Russo 7.
Subs: Catley 6, Maanum 7, Blackstenius 8, Reid 6, Hurtig 6.
Valerenga: Enblom 8; Horte 6, Thorsnes 6, Kovacs 6; Bjelde 6, Vickius 6, Thomsen 7, Heidarsdottir 6; Stolen Godo 6, Tvedten 7; Saevik 7.
Subs: Arnesen 6, Lindwall 6, Sesay 6, Enger 6, Olsen 6.
Match Highlights
2′ GOAL! ARSENAL (FOX) 1-0 VALERENGA! What a start! Fox slots home from close range after Foord got to the by-line and pulled back into the danger area.
28′ OFF THE POST! Williamson meets a corner at the front post and after her header the ball is deflected against the post. Russo is then twice denied by Enblom.
29′ GOAL! ARSENAL (FOORD) 2-0 VALERENGA! Foord nets her fifth goal of the Champions League campaign after Enblom parries Mead’s deflected shot.
35′ GOAL! ARSENAL 2-1 VALERENGA (TVEDTEN)! The Gunners are caught with a sucker punch. Cordina is caught dribbling out of defence by Saevik and she tees up Tvedten who slides the ball home.
52′ SAEVIK SPURNS A GREAT CHANCE! She des all the work herself, fielding a long ball and then turning inside Codina, but her left-footed shot at goal flies high over the bar.
85′ GOAL! ARSENAL (CALDENTEY) 3-1 VALERENGA! Blackstenius squares the ball to the Arsenal forward, who takes he time before slamming the ball into the roof of the net.
86′ OFF THE BAR! Blackstenius runs through on goal and is denied by Enblom before smacking the rebound against the bar.
90+3′ GOAL! ARSENAL (RUSSO) 4-1 VALERENGA! Caldentey with a fantastic through-ball for Russo who slid the ball under the goalkeeper.
Key Stat
- 12 – The number of saves made by Tove Enblom on the night.
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