Ahead of Arsenal Women's WSL trip to Liverpool this weekend Claudia Loy analyses the 2-1 victory over Everton at Meadow Park.

Read on for Claudia's Three Things We Learned as  Arsenal Women’s 2-1 victory over Everton is discussed in depth. 

1 - We still need to be more clinical in front of goal 

We could and should have killed the game early in the second half at 2-1, which made for a nervy ending. At times, we seem to find it difficult to kill games, especially when we’re in front. As we integrate the new signings, and build connections, this will change I think (and hope). We will create better scoring opportunities and work on our attacking variety. When we get it right, we can obliterate teams (see Chelsea and Leicester games). Chance creation was something Arsenal worked on during the break, and the fact that we named an unchanged team from Watford in the FA Cup shows that Jonas is trying to build these connections. The longer these players have to play with each other, the better this will be. 

2 - Victoria Pelova (no more words needed) 

Ok a few words. Her numbers were great in this match, as they are in most matches. 90 minutes played, 1 assist, 37/45 (82%) accurate passes, 2 big chances created, 3/4 ground duels won, 0 dispossessed balls. 

Obviously, football should be watched with your eyes too when you are assessing a player, but she is one of those players that is great to watch yet still really productive in terms of goals and her work for the team. If you watch many of our goals this season, she has been either directly or indirectly involved. She’s slowly becoming our most important player both offensively and defensively. What I loved in this match was her reading of the runs of others. Connections take time and she’s obviously been working on this during the winter break with Alessia, Caitlin and Beth so that she can find them in the right moments. 

3 - Super Lia Wälti! 

Our midfield bossed it. Aside from Vic, Lia was excellent and was deservedly player of the match. She provided a brilliant cross for Beth to score the winner and she always makes intelligent decisions. As her chant goes, ‘she never gives the ball awaaay!’ She’s two-footed, creative, and most importantly brings calmness and stability to our midfield, something we desperately need. The rumours of her leaving were false, she has confirmed, and she still has 3 years left on her contract. She’s an important player for us, so the longer the better! Never leave us Lia!