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Three Things We Learned from Arsenal Women's win at City as final WSL match of season looms

Here's Claudia Loy with her must-read Arsenal Women column Three Things We Learned

16 May, 2024 17:16
Three Things We Learned from Arsenal Women's win at City as final WSL match of season looms

Stina Blackstenius grabbed a late brace as Arsenal Women earned a last-gasp 2-1 victory at City. PICTURE: Freddie Cardy

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Three things we learned from Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Joie Stadium ahead of final home game against Brighton

This was a chance to put right some wrongs from previous seasons, and we took it

Having not won away at City since 2017, this was a great opportunity and achievement for the team. Manchester City are a great team, and have been a great team since 2017, but they are beatable. This proved that. Next, I want to see us win at Stamford Bridge!

It was also a nice end to our games against the big teams this season. Our record in these games has been really good, so it’s good to see we can compete with the top teams. It’s tough mentally to go away to a stadium like that with a huge pitch and a tough opponent, knowing you haven’t beaten them in a very long time. It’s great that we laid that to rest.

Super Subs paid off

Kim Little and Stina Blackstenius came on in the second half and changed the game. Kim controlled the middle third and Stina was there to stretch Man City’s back line.

As I’ve said before, any team is improved by having Kim Little in it, but I think this time the risk of having her as a sub paid off. We have such a strong squad, and I think this game showed that we have the individual quality to change games. The ball from Kim for Stina’s goal was unbelievable.

Laia Codina was excellent again

I think she is potentially underrated by some. Once she fully settles in the team, I really think she has a lot of qualities that we could use. She’s tenacious and good on the ball. I think we have four good central defenders now, and to sign another one while Amanda Ilestedt is pregnant would also be great.

Hopefully we can get some quality in during the window. I am optimistic about next season, and I think the fact that we really stepped up in the second half is a great sign.

If we can just take our chances, we’ll be fine. Our chance creation is the best in the league, I believe.

 

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