'We’re Starting to Resemble a Mid-Table Club': Arsenal’s Identity Crisis and Crucial Upcoming Clash Against Chelsea

It was meant to be the night Arsenal turned the tide after recent disappointing performances, but instead, it felt like the same old story - a team lacking a clear identity. 

I originally planned to write a tactical analysis of their recent matches, but the frustrations from last night prompted me to evaluate the broader context of Arsenal Women. With a crucial clash against Chelsea just around the corner, I can’t help but wonder what lies ahead for this club.

What’s going wrong for Arsenal, and how can they chart a path forward? Before delving into the current situation, let’s take a brief moment to reflect on the tactics employed during last night’s match.

Arsenal Starting XI: Zinsberger, Fox, Williamson, Codina, McCabe, Little, Wälti, Caldentey, Maanum, Foord, Blackstenius

Formation: 4-2-3-1, (Defensive 4-4-2)

Arsenal kicked off their Champions League campaign with a tough loss to Bayern Munich, despite a strong start. For the opening 30 minutes, Arsenal controlled the match well, pressing with intensity and creating dangerous chances, especially from set-pieces. However, as the match progressed, familiar defensive issues re-emerged.

First Half Analysis:

In the early stages, Arsenal’s defensive organisation seemed effective. When Bayern switched play to one flank, Arsenal compressed the field well, forcing turnovers and disrupting their rhythm. But once the pressing intensity dropped, Bayern exploited the wide areas. The gap between Arsenal’s forward line and defence widened, giving Bayern space to move the ball across the pitch with ease.

The equaliser from Bayern came after Arsenal failed to press following a set-piece, allowing a free cross and easy finish. This was a key theme throughout the match, as Bayern continually found space on the flanks to deliver dangerous balls into the box.

Blackstenius struggled to make an impact, with the game not suiting her strengths (counter attacking, route one football). 

Second Half Analysis:

Arsenal’s defensive frailties continued in the second half. The gap between the midfield and defence became too wide, giving Bayern room to operate. As the intensity in pressure from Arsenal’s forwards dropped, Bayern found it increasingly easy to bypass them and attack in numbers, effectively against six Arsenal defenders. Foord and Caldentey, in particular, struggled defensively, leaving the full-backs exposed.

Bayern’s second goal came in transition, highlighting Arsenal’s vulnerability to counter-attacks and long balls. 

Codina's goal came on a beautiful corner set-piece, where Arsenal players bunched up at the far post, to then attack different areas in front of the goal. Codina took advantage of the space left at the far post.

Poor marking led to Bayern’s third goal as Harder found space between the penalty spot and the six-yard box. Bayern overloaded the goal area, leaving space behind it. That's the area where the ball was delivered, allowing the attackers to run toward the ball in space. 

Two more free crosses sealed the result for Bayern. Those crosses were again the result of bad pressure upfront, which made the defence unable to cope with the overload from the central runs, while at the same time the fullbacks couldn't prevent the crosses. That's what happens when you press a good side without the required intensity, they bypass you and you leave your defence exposed.

Structural Issues:

The defensive struggles Arsenal experienced in this match are not dissimilar to those seen in their recent match against Manchester City. In both games, the gap between the defenders and midfielders was too wide, allowing opponents to exploit space and create overloads, particularly in wide areas. This seems to be a structural issue in Arsenal's setup, one that opponents can easily exploit once the initial pressing drops off.

Final Thoughts:

While Arsenal started the match on the front foot, their inability to maintain pressing intensity and defensive structure ultimately led to their downfall. The gaps between the midfield and defence, along with poor marking and pressure on the wings, made them vulnerable to Bayern’s attacks.

A more balanced formation or personnel changes might help stabilise the side. Pairing Cooney-Cross with Wälti in midfield could provide greater defensive solidity, while Kafaji could bring the necessary work rate on the wing. Alternatively, a switch to a 4-3-3 might give Arsenal better protection, though it raises questions about their midfield depth beyond Walti.

In conclusion, while Arsenal have the attacking talent, their defensive vulnerabilities- particularly the gap between the lines- continue to be a major concern.

What’s going wrong and where do we go from here?

After the Everton game at the weekend, Leah Williamson stated, “If you didn’t know what to expect from us on Wednesday, you do now.” Just yesterday, Lia Wälti sat alongside Jonas Eidevall in the pre-match press conference, expressing her confidence that Arsenal could and should be in contention for the Champions League trophy. Meanwhile, Katie McCabe took to social media to assure fans that Arsenal would bounce back from the disappointing draw against Everton. The players’ vocal determination was palpable, but as they stepped onto the pitch tonight, it felt like a familiar disappointment.

Last season, Arsenal exhibited a distinct playing style, which became increasingly clear as I analysed their matches weekly. We knew what to expect, and as players returned from injury, the tactics became even more pronounced. While there were struggles, notably an inability to break down low blocks, it seemed that Jonas Eidevall was finally shaping the squad in his vision. With departures in the summer and new arrivals, there was a sense of optimism heading into the new season. However, just a few games in, that hope is slowly fading.

It feels as if this team is regressing with each match. I don’t typically lean towards negativity, but a club like Arsenal—known for its style of play, competitiveness, and strong fan connection—is starting to feel disconnected. The team that took the field tonight appeared disjointed; they looked lost and nervous. Moments of brilliance did shine through, but the identity was conspicuously absent. It begs one question - is this the end of the road for Jonas Eidevall?

Has Eidevall Lost the Fans and the Dressing Room?

Fans have certainly taken to Twitter to voice their disappointment with the current situation, and rightly so. Even those who typically keep their opinions to themselves are speaking out. The nature of the defeat has clearly shocked many, but unfortunately, the performance reflects the recent trend of this Arsenal side. While there have been some bright spots this season—like the incredible comeback against Hacken at Borehamwood and the thrilling draw with Manchester City in the Emirates opener—overall, the performances have been lacklustre.

Calls for “Jonas Out” clash with a harsh reality: Arsenal’s gruelling schedule. In just a few days, they return to the Emirates for a crucial clash against rivals Chelsea, whose season under new manager Sonia Bompastor has been a stark contrast to Arsenal’s struggles. We know Arsenal can rise to the occasion in big moments, but the defeat to Bayern represented a missed opportunity to showcase that capability and send a message to Chelsea.

Instead, they are left with disappointment, a frustrated fanbase, and calls for the manager’s immediate dismissal. While it seems unlikely that Arsenal would part ways with the manager just days before such a significant match, the feeling is that he may have already lost the fans and perhaps even some support within the dressing room. This upcoming game against Chelsea feels like a last chance for Eidevall to prove himself; though some might argue he should already be gone, this WSL clash could ultimately determine his future.

We have seen Arsenal rise to the occasion when needed, and, regrettably, falter when least expected. Big performances are ingrained in Arsenal’s DNA, and if we put last night’s match against Bayern behind us, we might recognise that the team has a point to prove this weekend. 

Once the initial frustration subsides, and we acknowledge that a managerial change is unlikely at this juncture, we may need to rally behind the team more than ever as they prepare to face Chelsea.

Preparing for Chelsea: Is a Surprise Victory Within Reach?

You can bet that Chelsea fans thoroughly enjoyed last night’s game, and with a string of impressive performances and results under their belt, many will be feeling confident about their chances against Arsenal. This raises a crucial question: what will it take for Arsenal to pull off a shocking upset?

From a tactical perspective, Arsenal has a blueprint for beating Chelsea. I analysed this twice last season—first, when they delivered a stunning 4-1 thrashing, and again with a narrow 1-0 victory that secured the Conti Cup trophy. Drawing from those successes, Arsenal must capitalise on Chelsea's key weaknesses while leveraging their own strengths.

However, defeating Chelsea, especially in the current climate, involves more than just tactics. Even with the right game plan, if Arsenal play with the same lack of confidence we’ve seen recently, they will likely struggle. Chelsea is a potent attacking team, and they will not hesitate to punish any mistakes.

Let’s get behind that badge:

While this period has been undeniably disappointing, I believe the Emirates faithful will refuse to give up just yet. The Arsenal fans who travelled to Munich might still be feeling blue, but London will always be red.

This same mindset must be embraced by the players; the absent fight in Munich needs to be rekindled in North London. Regardless of what happens next, Arsenal must deliver a determined performance. We need to set aside past disappointments and secure a win in this crucial match. Another lacklustre showing could seal Jonas’ fate, but a victory might create a wave of momentum.

Could a hard-fought win against Chelsea on Saturday be the turning point we desperately need this season? With a relentless schedule ahead and a fierce rival waiting, the question remains: are Arsenal ready?