West Ham United Women 0-2 Arsenal Women

May 8, 2022

Chigwell Construction Stadium

Women’s Super League

Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham was not enough to win the Women’s Super League title, with Sam Kerr sparing Chelsea’s early blushes to hand the Blues a third straight league title.

Chelsea went a goal down to Manchester United, who made a brilliant start to the game, then going 2-1 up within 25 minutes, with news of the goals filtering through to Arsenal’s jubilant away following despite the Gunners struggling to make any breakthroughs against West Ham.

The Blues’ equaliser at the start of the second half put the pressure back on Arsenal, who had clearly underperformed in the opening 45 minutes against a resolute West Ham side. As Arsenal continued to put the pressure on for no reward, Chelsea had turned it round and were now 3-2 up, taking the title out of Arsenal’s hands.

Substitute Stina Blackstenius ensured that Chelsea couldn’t breathe easy yet however, making an instant impact from the bench after a good linkup with Miedema and putting Arsenal ahead on the hour mark. Celebrations for Steph  Catley’s thumping finish moments later were immediately muted by an incredible goal by Sam Kerr, who’s incredible goal put Chelsea in firm control.

Whatever the Arsenal players knew of Chelsea’s resurgence seemed to drain the energy from their performance, with West Ham really growing into the game and hitting the crossbar from a Gilly Flaherty header, but failing to make any changes to the scoreline before full time- a 2-0 win for the Gunners on the final day.

The battle at the top of the WSL has been enthralling all season, with Arsenal pushing Chelsea all the way and finishing within a point of the Blues. The rivalry between Jonas Eidevall and Emma Hayes is set to continue for many more years, with Arsenal’s boss given a contract extension on Friday, a clear statement of backing from the club’s leadership prior to the end of the season.

Overall Jonas Eidevall’s maiden season as Arsenal manager is a trophyless one, but Arsenal fans, like the club’s ownership, will back the Swede to make further improvements in his side’s playing style and personnel in the summer in order to really put the pressure on Chelsea next season.