Eidevall: ‘We stayed calm and patient’ | Interview | News

We emphatically recovered from falling behind early on to make it three wins in eight days thanks to a 4-1 success at Villa Park on Sunday – our 200th game in the Women’s Super League.

Jonas Eidevall heaped praise on Aston Villa in the run-up to our final Women’s Super League game of 2022 – and they only struck when Kirsty Hanson finished off an early flowing move.

However, we responded well and went ahead just before half-time through Rachel Corsie’s own goal, before Vivianne Miedema gave us the lead at half-time with a typically clinical close-range finish.

Katie McCabe and second-half substitute Jordan Nobbs secured the win after the restart – taking us level on points with Chelsea at the top of the WSL ahead of the Blues’ meeting with Reading in the late kick-off.

What happened

Despite an energetic opening from the hosts, we created the first chance. Lia Walti made a tackle inside our half before feeding Miedema, who went on a fine solo run before stinging the palms of Hannah Hampton.

We went close from the resulting corner, with Rafaelle nodding over after Hampton had misjudged the ball.

Seconds later, however, we were behind. Impressive link-up play between Rachel Daly and Kenza Dali resulted in the latter freeing Hanson, whose powerful shot from the edge of the area found the far corner.

We were right back on the front foot after the early goal and were almost level when brilliant build-up play from Miedema created a chance for Caitlin Foord, who fired over.

Both sides continued to threaten in an entertaining opening – McCabe’s free-kick from 25 meters flew inches over at one end, Laura Blindkilde’s cross rattled our crossbar at the other.

After coming close to an equaliser, McCabe was central to our equaliser. Our captain for the day was involved in some good interplay around the Villa box before seeing her low cross deflected just over the line after a double deflection, with Corsie getting the final touch.

Soon after we were in front. Hampton could only kick a corner out to Miedema, who volleyed home from eight yards.

Stina Blackstenius went close with a header as we continued to look dangerous before the break.

We didn’t have to wait too long to add to the lead after the break – McCabe fired home from close range after Steph Catley’s cross was touched by Hampton.

Carla Ward sent on Emily Gielnik as Villa searched for a route back into the game – but we continued to look the more threatening and almost extended the lead further when Blackstenius’ looping header from Williamson’s deep cross was hacked off the line.

We added gloss to the scoreline late on – Foord drove towards goal before taking the route of substitute Nobbs, who finished emphatically from close range to seal a convincing display.

What it means

The win saw us move level on points with Chelsea at the top of the WSL, ahead of Emma Hayes’ side’s game against Reading.

Our next league game is against our title rivals, at the Emirates Stadium on January 15 – but before then we have two Women’s Champions League games, at home to Lyon on Thursday and away to FC Zurich on Wednesday, December 21.

Team news

Arsenal: Zinsberger, Maritz (Wienroither 71), Wubben-Moy, Rafaelle (Williamson 60), Catley, Walti, Maanum, McCabe (c), Blackstenius, Foord (Iwabuchi 86), Miedema (Nobbs 72)

Unused subs: Marckese, Beattie, Agyemang

Aston Villa: Hampton, Mayling, Corsie, Turner, Pacheco, McLoughlin (Gielnik 66), Blindkilde, Dali, Lehmann (Goodwin 86), Hanson, Daly

Unused subs: Leat, Keitley