On Sunday, Arsenal hosted Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter final at Meadow Park, the sun was shining and the Gooners were in excellent voice ready to cheer on the team, but what followed was not what anyone had planned for.

Difficult pitch conditions contributed to the scrappy and disjointed game which saw many yellow cards given by the referee and both teams struggled to gain much consistent control, meaning the game lacked momentum. 

A strike from Liverpool saw an own goal go down for Daphne van Domselaar, and the game ended 1-0 to the visitors, taking away Arsenal’s last sliver of hope of any domestic silverware this season and leaving the team and the fans disappointed. But what can we learn from the game?

Struggles Against the Press Continue

Liverpool’s high press caused Arsenal problems from the start, forcing mistakes and limiting their ability to build from the back. Van Domselaar was caught out twice when in possession, and Arsenal struggled to break through Liverpool’s aggressive structure. This is not the first time the Gunners have looked uncomfortable when pressed high. Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have also exposed this weakness. If Arsenal want to compete at the highest level, they need a more effective plan to play through intense opposition pressure.

Subs Make an Impact – So Make Subs

Frida Maanum’s introduction at half time made an immediate difference, her direct style of play and ability to link up with Mariona Caldentey gave the Gunners some much-needed firepower and more chances in the final third. However, the next substitutions were not made until after the 80th minute, a decision that many fans have since disagreed with.  A lack of chances and free-flowing play should have been clear signs that something wasn’t working, and perhaps bringing new players onto the field earlier on could have been the change that made the difference. The substitutions in the West Ham game turned the result on its head, so we know it works, why were changes not made earlier on Sunday? 

The Fortress of Meadow Park doesn’t Guarantee Results

Meadow Park has been seen as one of the toughest venues for away teams to come over the past few seasons, due to the volume of passionate Arsenal fans who pack the stands and chant battle cries from the North Bank. The Gunners haven’t lost there in the league all season but have found themselves knocked out of both domestic cup competitions in matches played at the ground. It just shows that even with the support of some of the most loyal fans in the women’s game, sometimes it is just not Arsenal’s day.

Closing Thoughts 

Ultimately, Arsenal’s FA Cup journey came to an abrupt and frustrating end, leaving both the team and fans questioning what could have been. With a large points gap to the top, the WSL title hopes seem very distant, leaving only the Champions League to fight for. The Gunners must regroup quickly and find solutions to their recurring struggles. The disappointment of this defeat should serve as motivation. If they want to compete for major trophies, these issues need addressing fast. There’s still plenty to play for, but time is running out to turn promise into silverware.