Even the most optimistic of Arsenal fans would have struggled to conceive a scenario where the Gunners could overturn a 3-0 deficit to beat Women’s Super League champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. 

And if they did, they would have been left disappointed, because if any team was going to score three more goals after Sjoeke Nusken had netted Chelsea’s third, it was the home side. 

Fortunately for Arsenal, Manu Zinsberger stood firm to save a number of second half efforts, and Kim Little’s late consolation at least gave the scoreboard operator something to do in the closing minutes.

Ultimately 3-1 was a scoreline that flattered Arsenal, who left West London with their tails between their legs and the wrong socks on their feet, after a kit clash forced kick-off to be delayed by 30 minutes.

The Gunners now sit six points behind league leaders Chelsea and second placed Manchester City, and are reliant on both sides dropping points if they are to win the WSL.

Jonas Eidevall’s big selection decision came upfront, as Stina Blackstenius was preferred to Alessia Russo, and then hooked at half-time to be replaced by the England forward. Russo had scored a brace in the reverse fixture, but her non-selection was not the main issue for Arsenal on a night where defence was the key issue.

Arsenal were bolstered by the return of Emily Fox from the Gold Cup, but the right-back started on the bench, with Katie McCabe at right-back. However, it was Arsenal’s left side that was targeted by the Chelsea duo of Eve Perisset and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, the latter who had equalised at the Emirates Stadium in December with an impressive counter-attacking goal.

Considering Kaneryd’s strike was one of Chelsea’s sole highlights in a damaging 4-1 defeat, it was no surprise that the Swedish winger was keen to target Arsenal left-back Steph Catley again. However, Catley was often occupied by the versatile Sjoeke Nusken in a more central area, opening up plenty of space on the right wing for Kaneryd.

Lia Walti was utilised as something of a third centre-back to cover and support Catley, allowing Caitlin Foord to stay high up on the wing, but this left Victoria Pelova isolated in midfield. 

Kim Little played in a typical number 10 role up alongside Stina Blackstenius, and Arsenal only relinquished some control in the middle of the pitch when she dropped deeper to support Pelova and Walti in the second half. 

The tenacious Erin Cuthbert did not give Pelova a moment to breathe, and the young Arsenal midfielder was caught on the ball in the fifteenth minute to allow Lauren James to be played in behind. 

Steph Catley did well to get goalside of James, but she managed to create some space and drive an effort towards Zinsberger. The goalkeeper at first appeared to have saved James’ effort, but the ball looped up and nestled into the back of the net. Yes, it was Zinsberger’s error at the final hurdle, but it was a goal that should have been avoided earlier in the move.

The endlessly confident James clearly relishes the big occasion, and no more so than playing at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal never got to grips with her skill and pace, and she was brilliant on the ball again for Chelsea’s second goal, turning away from three opponents before switching the play to Guro Reiten. 

She crossed for Kaneryd, who laid the ball off to Cuthbert. Her driven shot was turned in by Nusken to make it 2-0, despite appeals for offside. Replays showed that if Leah Williamson had stepped up in line with her fellow defenders, those appeals would have been granted. This was another goal that could have been avoided, particularly given the amount of space and time that was afforded to Cuthbert on the edge of the box.

Counter-attacking goals had been the order of play in the opening half hour, and Chelsea’s third continued this trend. Arsenal won a free-kick ten yards into the opposition half, but Leah Williamson elected to try and float a long pass the width of the pitch to Lia Walti, who again was in something of a left-back position.

Williamson’s pass never reached Walti, and was intercepted by Kaneryd, who drove into the Arsenal half, cut inside Wubben-Moy and went for goal. Nusken again found herself in the right place at the right time, and Kaneryd’s shot hit the back of the German’s legs and left Zinsberger stranded. There would be no coming back for Arsenal.

Hayes on Nusken: “She scored a goal off her arsehole!”

— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) March 15, 2024

Jonas Eidevall took full responsibility for Arsenal’s failings, saying “to be that poor in our defensive organisation then we cannot expect to win the game.” Yes, the goals were not pretty, but Arsenal’s defending left even more to be desired.

The two sides meet again at the end of the month in the Conti Cup final, and Arsenal will have to make major improvements across the pitch in order to retain the trophy, after a numbing defeat to their rivals. They should at least be wearing their own socks, not Chelsea’s, at Molineux on Easter Sunday.