UWCL: Arsenal hit Vålerenga for four in dominant Emirates display | OneFootball

A shot over the goalkeeper’s head sealed the first three points for Arsenal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League this season, with a 4-1 win over Vålerenga.

Arsenal returned to the Emirates Stadium under the European lights on Wednesday, looking to start life under Renée Slegers on the right foot. They faced Norwegian side Vålerenga, the current leaders of Toppserien.

Lineups

Interim Arsenal coach Slegers made just one change from the side that lost on Sunday to Chelsea. Laia Codina replaced Lotte Wubben-Moy in the backline. Meanwhile, Nils Lexerød also made one change from Vålerenga’s 3-0 win over Lyn Fotball. Ronja Arnesen was replaced in the attacking line by Emma Godø.

Arsenal

Daphne van Domselaar; Emily Fox, Laia Codina Panedas, Leah Williamson, Mariona Caldentey, Beth Mead, Kim Little, Katie McCabe, Lia Wälti, Caitlin Foord, Alessia Russo

Vålerenga

Tove Enblom; Sara Hørte, Michaela Kovacs, Janni Thornsnes, Olaug Tvendten, Emma Stølen Godø, Thea Bjelde, Sædís Heiðarsdóttir, Karina Sævik

First half action

Arsenal got off to the best possible start under interim head coach Slegers, with Emily Fox scoring her first goal for the Arsenal within two minutes. An immediate response from the Norwegian visitors could not find the back of the net. An uneventful 20 minutes ensued, with Arsenal struggling to find players in the box or pulling offside in attack.

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After 21 minutes, some good buildup play from Vålerenga saw a shot from distance saved by Daphne Van Domselaar. An unsettled right-hand side for Arsenal crept in more chances than they would have wanted but stealthy defending nullified any good chance. A good spell for the Gunners saw Katie McCabe with a shot from distance result in a corner after hitting a player on the way through. Leah Williamson hit the post from the resulting corner before three exceptional saves from Tove Enblom.

An attempt at counter-attacking play from the visitors was nullified in their own half. Arsenal built out left with Caitlin Foord eventually getting the better of the Swedish goalkeeper. She slotted the ball into an open net after a good save to deny Beth Mead.

An error at the back from Arsenal saw Vålerenga get a goal back. A foul on Laia Codina was not called, in the build-up, with Olaug Tvedten unmarked on the right to slot on calmly home. A chance to redeem their two-goal lead was not taken by Arsenal, with Williamson’s shot pulling wide, before being called offside. Another chance from range, this time for Alessia Russo, was well saved by Enbolm.

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Second half

The second half started similar to the first. Arsenal dominated possession but were soon let down by the inability to find teammates. Vålerenga were quick on the counter, getting the best of the Arsenal backline before the shot was sent over. The visitors were strong in defence, shutting down space around the Arsenal attackers well.

Vålerenga built into the game, increasingly pressuring Arsenal as the time passed. While no chances true hurt the Arsenal backline in the box, Codina was forced into some neat footwork to keep the attackers out. A mistake from Fox saw Sædís Heiðarsdóttir with a shot from distance, with Van Domseelar off her line, but the goalkeeper made the save easily.

Old foes were once again Arsenal’s nemesis, as balls into the box were defended by the Norwegians without too much pressure. Vålerenga ran into similar problems, with insufficient numbers in the box resulting in Arsenal clearing chances well.

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Another excellent set of saves from Enblom denied Arsenal at close range, with Mariona, Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum denied on the edge of the box. But the Spaniard soon got the better of the goalkeeper, with her shot soaring over her head. Seconds later, Blackstenius hit the bar, after an excellent save once again from Enblom.

The welcomed return of Lina Hurtig saw things out, with the Swede making her first appearance for Arsenal this season. She was subbed on with youngster Katie Reid as the fans sung out her name to welcome her back. A fourth and final goal from Russo summed up a dominate display from the Gunners, despite a stellar performance from Enblom.

Key players

Tove Enblom: The quadruple save from the 29-year-old summed up the first half. Enblom was the difference maker at points in the first half to keep her side in the fixture. She was alert and agile to Arsenal’s chances, and overwhelmingly the best player.

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Mariona Caldentey: Whilst no Arsenal player stood out especially, Mariona’s freedom of expression did create good chances. Her creative flare down the centre of the pitch as the 10 was difficult for the visitors to deal with, and her physically went match to match with theirs.

After tonight, Vålerenga look ahead to the possibility of clinch the title of Toppserien. They can do such at the weekend, when they face eighth place Kolbotn at home, with two games to play. Arsenal take the win on the road as they travel away to West Ham, with sights set on just a second win of the WSL season.

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