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Emily Keogh
LONDON — The true winner of Arsenal’s unexpected 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday doesn’t appear on the score sheet. Instead, it was Manchester City who emerged as the real victors, now poised to extend their lead at the top of the Women’s Super League (WSL) to nine points with a potential win this weekend.
In a season marked by struggles and injuries, Arsenal took advantage of Chelsea’s missed opportunities, achieving their first away victory in this fixture since 2018. The outcome not only impacts the WSL title race but could nearly seal its fate.
If City secures a win against London City Lionesses on Sunday, they will create a nearly insurmountable lead as the season winds down. Additionally, this result may invigorate the Women’s Champions League competition, placing Arsenal just one point behind Chelsea in the standings.
The match had a tentative start, but as the first half progressed, both teams created opportunities, though Arsenal appeared more capable. However, the score remained level for too long due to missed chances and frustrations.
In the second half, Arsenal found their footing. After multiple near misses, Beth Mead broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, capping a spell of relentless pressure that left Chelsea struggling to regain control.
Alyssa Thompson, a consistent nuisance for Arsenal, nearly equalized with a long-range attempt that narrowly missed. Arsenal’s pressing was unusually sharp, forcing the home side into mistakes and preventing them from capitalizing on their chances, with only one of their 19 attempts hitting the target.
Mariona Caldentey then found space in the box, making it 2-0 for Arsenal with a well-placed shot.
Chelsea struggled to rectify their issues and found themselves responsible for their own undoing. Ironically, their best opportunities came late in the match when they were already on the backfoot, but their shots were off target and lacked precision.
This season, Arsenal has faced frustrations with drawn matches and losses despite creating considerable chances. Their challenge has been translating those opportunities into goals.
While the match does not resolve Arsenal’s broader issues, it suggests the potential for success when opposing teams provide them the space to operate. This newfound rhythm will be crucial as the competition heats up over the coming month.
With several challenging matches on the horizon, including the inaugural Champions Cup and a key fixture against City, this victory offers a much-needed morale boost for Arsenal.
The upcoming games are indeed must-wins, with significant implications for both player morale and potential silverware. Securing a win over Chelsea, a team that has historically bested them, should bolster support from fans who have been disheartened by recent performances.
However, injuries pose a significant challenge for Arsenal. Chloe Kelly is managing a ligament issue in her knee, while Leah Williamson returned from a prior knee injury only to sustain a calf issue that has sidelined her again. Additionally, Katie Reid, Manuela Zinsberger, and Michelle Agyemang, who was on loan to Brighton, are all rehabilitating for ACL injuries.
On a positive note, Daphne van Domeslaar returned to the bench, though Frida Maanum was absent due to illness, leaving Arsenal with only five outfield substitutes. Additionally, Olivia Smith faced suspension due to a red card received in a midweek League Cup semifinal against Manchester United, eliminating them from the competition.
As City prepares to face the London City Lionesses on Sunday, Chelsea’s defeat has provided a favorable advantage for manager Andrée Jeglertz.
This could potentially spell the end of the title race. City previously needed to lose points in at least two remaining matches while every other team continued to win to narrow the gap. However, asking a City side that hasn’t lost since their opening-day match against Chelsea to lose three straight games seems highly improbable.
Arsenal must secure a perfect record against City on February 8 after their Champions Cup matches if they hope to keep their title hopes alive. If City wins their upcoming match and potentially triumphs over Chelsea next week, they could clinch the title well before the season concludes.