Arsenal 4-1 Vålerenga: Gunners secure first three points of post-Eidevall era in tight affair

After a turbulent week for Arsenal that ended with manager Jonas Eidevall’s resignation, the Gunners managed to start life without him on the right foot as they came out 4-1 winners over Norwegian side Vålerenga. However, it wasn’t the game the scoreline suggests.

After last week’s 5-2 humiliation away at Bayern Munich, interim manager Renée Slegers was under immediate pressure in her first game in charge as Arsenal needed three points to kickstart their Champions League campaign and perhaps their season as a whole. Vålerenga’s first European outing of the season had seen them emerge unlucky losers from a hard-fought performance against Juventus, giving them plenty of confidence coming to North London.

As it happened

Arsenal flew out of the gates to start life in the post-Eidevall era. Looking to dispel any bad memories for fans, Emily Fox remained calm in the chaos of a goal-mouth scramble and poked home her first Arsenal goal to grab early lead – one they desperately needed to ease the nerves this match could have brought. This was Arsenal’s first lead since the opening day of the Barclays Women’s Super League season against Manchester City, and the players’ relief was palpable.

The home side looked to keep on the front foot and extend their lead, with the struggling Alessia Russo making herself known in the opening ten minutes. A fluid Arsenal move ended with Kim Little finding a small pocket of space – which was all she needed to play Russo through one-on-one, but the Lioness’s powerful finish was disallowed for offside. Not long after, she found herself free in behind Michaela Kovacs and again one-on-one – but at a very tight angle and Tove Enblom got down well to make the save.

Vålerenga slowly found their footing in the game. In the 21st minute, the tricky Olaug Tvedten got past Katie McCabe and her challenging cross into the middle was cleared to the edge of the area, where Janni Thomsen’s finessed effort was saved well by Daphne van Domselaar.

The home side remained composed and caused a real scare for the Norwegians when Leah Williamson’s darting run across the box caught the defenders napping from a corner and she hit the post. Arsenal kept the momentum up and were starting to look like their old selves.

This effort was rewarded after 29 minutes: the Gunners capitalised on Vålerenga’s inability to properly clear their lines and a direct run from Mariona Caldentey allowed for a simple pass to Mead. Her deflected shot landed perfectly for Caitlin Foord to tuck it home, continuing the Australian’s excellent start to the season.

Old habits die hard, though – Arsenal’s defensive problems continue to haunt them when in the 34th minute Vålerenga’s high press finally paid off. Karina Sævik stole the ball from Laia Codina and gave Olaug Tvedten a clear sight of goal as she calmly finished into the bottom right corner.

Neither sides gave much away in a quiet end to the half. Russo continued to impose herself on the match but not the scoresheet, this time with a lovely curled effort from the edge of the area that was saved by Enbolm. Going into the break Vålerenga will have felt that they remained in the game, while Arsenal’s defensive frustrations continued.

The second half was a far more cagey affair as Arsenal seemed content to keep possession, but failed to capitalise on it with any significant chances as they struggled creatively. Codina especially had a rough time as she was repeatedly turned and beaten for strength by Emma Stølen Godø, leaving Williamson stranded and causing some nervy moments.

It wasn’t until the 82nd minute that a clearcut chance came about. Substitute Stina Blackstenius perfectly timed a run into the box but failed to take it around Enblom, who then blocked Frida Maanum’s effort on the rebound. Frustration from the home end was visibly growing at this point, as the Gunners again failed to achieve a two-goal cushion.

That move was the lift they needed though as minutes later a role reversal saw Blackstenius play a perfectly weighted ball for Maanum. The Norwegian’s connection with Russo just outside the box left Caldentey in acres of space to attack and fire home the winner five minutes from time, allowing the Emirates Stadium to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

To cap off a night of much-needed confidence-boosting, Russo finally got the goal she desperately needed. She kept her composure in front of goal to stroke the ball between Enblom’s legs and award Renée Slegers a 4-1 win on herdebut as Arsenal interim boss. The scoreline is very harsh on the Norwegian side, though, who fought hard throughout and on another night very well could have come away with at least a point – despite their first three European points on the board for the season, there remains plenty to work on.

The lineups

ARS: Van Domselaar, Fox, Codina, Williamson, Mariona, Mead, Little, McCabe, Walti, Foord, Russo

VAL: Enblom, Hørte, Kovacs, Thorsnes, Vickius, Bjelde, Heiðarsdóttir, Tvedten, Sævik, Stølen Godø