Introduction:

Arsenal came into this fixture full of confidence after their 1-0 victory over Chelsea to bring home the Continental Cup. Sitting in third before the game, Arsenal’s title hopes look close to impossible, as even with a win they would still find themselves six points behind leaders Manchester City. 

Arsenal did look to secure their position in the table, however, as they chase Champions League football next season and would put themselves nine points clear of Manchester United in fourth place with a win at Meadow Park.

Bristol City, on the other hand, find themselves bottom of the WSL table, seven points behind West Ham. With a difficult task to the stay in the top division ahead, an unexpected victory here would have been key to their almost impossible hopes of survival.

Lineups:

Arsenal: D’Angelo; Catley, Wubben-Moy, Williamson, Fox; Little, Pelova; Foord, Russo, Mead; Blackstenius.

Bristol City: Bentley; Napier, Connolly, Aspin, Rogers, Powell; Thestrup, Stratigakis, Syme, Morgan; Evans.

Arsenal’s versatile attacking options:

In their build-up play, Arsenal were extremely versatile throughout this match. They were up against a Bristol City side playing very deep, with everyone behind the ball including five players at the back, four in midfield and Lisa Evans as the lone striker, who was not pressing the Arsenal centre-backs at all.

The frontline performed their duties extremely well throughout; although the general formations suggested Caitlin Foord and Beth Mead would be out wide with Blackstenius and Russo central, the positions were interchangeable. When Mead would move in-field, Stina Blackstenius could recognise the space out wide to support Emily Fox.

Russo acted as the deep playmaker, involved in the build-up play from the back when needed. By occupying multiple positions she would either be unmarked or would drag Bristol City players out of position to create space (similar to what the fullbacks were also doing).

Blackstenius looked as though she was less involved than the other forwards, yet that came as a result of her role in the system. With Russo dropping deep, Blackstenius was not required to be involved in build up play centrally as much, and would therefore act as a target in the box. She would also look to get in behind the backline when the opportunity arose.

The wingers for Arsenal were involved throughout the game, particularly on the left flank, with Foord capitalising on any loose passes and driving into the space that opened up. When she drove into the box Bristol City failed to deal with her defensively and her shot came off the post, with Mead positioned in the perfect place for the rebound. Arsenal getting numbers in and around the box benefitted them in this game, as they were first to so many of the loose balls.

A key attacking threat came from the link up play between Foord and Steph Catley, with Catley often looking to make the underlapping run. The fullbacks were involved every time Arsenal looked to attack, looking to get forward and either occupy a defender to create space for someone else or even remain unmarked when Bristol City failed to pick up their runs.

In the midfield both Kim Little and Victoria Pelova were given positional freedom to find space, with Pelova typically operating further forward and Little seeing a lot more of the ball, looking to move it from one flank to the other when the option arose.

Both Little and Pelova found pockets of space between the midfield and defence where they could turn and get Arsenal on the attack. When awarded space on the edge of the box Pelova was able to get a shot away that hit the crossbar.

The centre-backs were also responsible for helping build up play, with Lotte Wubben-Moy looking for balls to the left flank for Foord. On occasions Leah Williamson would drive forward and look to find Pelova between the lines.

Bristol City’s defensive weaknesses:

When Arsenal had the ball, especially in their final third, Bristol City failed to get close enough to the players, allowing them time on the ball to make the right decision and pick out a pass or cross. Forced to defend for the majority of the game, Bristol City were shaky in the first half, scrambling to clear defensively. 

Failing to clear their lines and mark the box effectively even led to Mead’s second goal and the later goal for Russo, where she was awarded space to receive the pass from Katie McCabe and slot a great finish into the bottom corner.

In the first ten minutes of the second half Bristol City defended in and around the box much better, but Arsenal upped the pressure again. The goalkeeper Fran Bentley had an extremely strong game, producing saves throughout that kept the scoreline down when Arsenal could have had two or three more goals.

The Robins’ lacklustre attacks:

Perhaps due to Arsenal’s defensive stability, Bristol City were unable to produce limited attacking plays throughout the match. Their main method of playing out from the back was out wide, looking to get the ball to their fullback who could then drive up the flank and test Mead defensively.

As Arsenal put more pressure on Bristol City in possession they were forced into long balls, yet this just gifted possession back to Arsenal.

Arsenal’s relentlessness and defensive stability:

With 76% of possession in the game, Arsenal played with high confidence and intensity. They refused to let Bristol City play out, pressing them at all times and winning the ball back.

By not delaying crosses and shots and taking them first time, they caught Bristol City out and Catley forced a deflected shot into the back of the net to give Arsenal their three goal lead. They picked their moments well and if the opportunity did not present itself, they were patient in and around the box, waiting for the right moment when space would open up.

Arsenal dealt extremely well with the balls played in behind, with Wubben-Moy stepping out to intercept. They remained switched on defensively even when they had little to do throughout, meaning Bristol City had just one shot on target the entire game (compared to Arsenal’s thirteen). This came from a long ball in between the centre-backs, with Catley making a last ditch tackle and Sabrina D’Angelo saving the rebound. Arsenal fought extremely hard to keep their clean sheet.

Individual performances helped Arsenal succeed in the manner in which they did, with Russo’s brilliant run ending in a powerful long shot the keeper couldn’t keep out. An overall team performance tactically, however, was key to the way Arsenal played throughout.

Arsenal’s dominance in the game was rewarded with a 5-0 victory and the comfort to know they could bring on Laura Wienroither as she got important minutes following a return from her ACL injury. It also allowed young defender Katie Reid to make her senior debut for the club.

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