Arsenal 3-2 Chelsea: Gunners stun defending champions in WSL opener

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Arsenal picked up their first win in the Women’s Super League in a 3-2 triumph over Chelsea in a very entertaining encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The Gunners were a goal behind after a penalty from Arina Rodionova in the 36th minute, but a header from Jemma Rose, her first in the competition, gave the visitors a two-goal cushion. Arsenal then hit back twice in a span of four minutes, the second of which from the penalty spot by Claire Emslie, to level the score.

Arsenal’s VAR-assisted penalty shootout win over Chelsea in the first all-English WSL final served as a major talking point on Twitter. The match was overshadowed by the controversy around Arsenal’s first penalty, awarded to the London club after Chelsea defender Stephanie Houghton handled Alexis Sanchez’s shot.

Arsenal came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at home to Chelsea in the opening game of the Women’s Super League season. The Gunners went into the game on the back of two consecutive defeats against Lyon and Man City in the Continental Cup, but they picked up their game against the Blues and picked up three points.

Sarina Wiegman, England’s manager, watched from the stands as Beth Mead scored twice.

Arsenal excelled in their Women’s Super League debut against reigning champions Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, demonstrating their championship push ambition.

Arsenal could not have put up a finer performance in front of over 8,000 fans in a game of genuine quality.

After Vivianne Miedema had started the scoring, England international Beth Mead scored twice in the second half.

Chelsea’s Erin Cuthbert equalized on the stroke of half-time, but Mead’s double in 11 minutes put Arsenal in front.

Pernille Harder’s header set up a frantic finish as Chelsea pressed for an equaliser, but Arsenal held on for a tremendous win to kick-start their season, boosted over the line by the scream of the home supporters.

There were many opportunities at both ends, and there might easily have been more goals if Arsenal’s Leah Williamson and Jen Beattie had not come up with some last-ditch defense.

Mead might have scored a hat-trick in the second half when she was stopped from close range in front of new England boss Sarina Wiegman, who was watching from the stands.

After Chelsea player Guro Reiten’s cross touched the top of the crossbar, that opportunity arose.

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes wasted no time after the interval in sending on crucial strikers Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby, but despite peppering Arsenal’s goal in the last 10 minutes, they were unable to get through.

Jonas Eidevall, who took over as manager of Arsenal in the summer, was constantly on his feet, organizing and praising his players as they worked hard when they were out of possession.

Chelsea’s offensive approach remained dangerous, but Arsenal showed great grit and energy in dealing with a relentless assault from the Blues in the closing minutes.

It was a statement of determination from the hosts, who finished third last season and were far behind Chelsea and runners-up Manchester City in the championship chase.

Chelsea, who only lost one game in the league last season, were reminded of the difficulty of defending their championship.

‘An Arsenal performance to remember.’

“We witnessed the calibre – the world-class players we have at our disposal in the WSL,” ex-England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis said on Radio 5 Live. Arsenal was firing on all cylinders today. Arsenal supporters can tell that the team has a lot of energy and flair.

“They have a lot of tactical know-how.” It was spotless. Arsenal delivered a flawless performance.

“Arsenal takes great pleasure in their execution of little details. They are going to be ecstatic. Last season, Chelsea only allowed ten goals, whereas Arsenal scored three tonight.”

Line-ups

Women’s Arsenal

4-3-3 formation

1Zinsberger

16Maritz6Williamson5Beattie15McCabe

13Wälti10Little12Maanum

9Mead11Miedema23Iwabuchi

  • 1Zinsberger
  • 16Maritz
  • 6Williamson
  • At 77’minutes, 5Beattie was substituted forSrensen.
  • 15McCabe Scheduled for 23 minutes Catley was replaced after 61’minutes.
  • 84’minutes 13WältiSubstituted forWubben-Moyat
  • 10Little
  • 12Maanum
  • At 83’minutes, 9Mead was substituted by Patten.
  • 11Miedema
  • 23Iwabuchi At 61’minutes, he was replaced by Parris. The time slot has been set for 85 minutes.

Substitutes

  • 3Wubben-Moy
  • 4Patten
  • 7Catley
  • 14Parris
  • 18Williams
  • 20Sørensen
  • 28Cull
  • 29Goldie

Chelsea Ladies

3-4-3 formation

30Berger

7Carter4Bright16Eriksson

21Charles8Leupolz10Ji11Reiten

22Cuthbert9England23Harder

  • 30Berger
  • 7Carter
  • 4Bright came in in place of Fleming at the 87th minute.
  • 16Eriksson Scheduled for 66 minutes
  • At 56’minutes,Charles was substituted by Kirby.
  • 8LeupolzIngleat 56’minutesIngleat 56’minutesIngleat 56’minutesIngleat 56’minutesIngleat 56’minutesIngleat
  • 10Ji
  • At 83’minutes, Reiten was substituted by Andersson.
  • 22Cuthbert
  • 9England56’minutesSubstitute forKerrat
  • 23Harder

Substitutes

  • 1Musovic
  • 3Nouwen
  • 5Ingle
  • 14Kirby
  • 17Fleming
  • 20Kerr
  • 24Spence
  • 25Andersson
  • 29Fox

Rebecca Welch is the official referee.

Attendance:8,705

Live Text

  1. Arsenal Women 3, Chelsea Women 2 is the final score.

  2. Arsenal Women 3, Chelsea Women 2 at the conclusion of the second half.

  3. In the defensive half, Ji So-Yun (Chelsea Women) earns a free kick.

  4. Frida Maanum has committed a foul (Arsenal Women).

  5. The attempt was unsuccessful. Fran Kirby’s right-footed attempt from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right for Chelsea Women.

  6. Chelsea Women’s Corner Charlotte Wubben-Moy made the concession.

  7. Attempt was thwarted. Arsenal Women’s Vivianne Miedema’s right-footed effort from the left side of the area is stopped. Nikita Parris assisted.

  8. Fran Kirby was called for a foul (Chelsea Women).

  9. Arsenal Women’s Nikita Parris earns a free kick in the attacking half.

  10. Chelsea Women, you’re on the wrong side of the goal. Sam Kerr gets caught offside as Ji So-Yun attempts a through ball.

  11. Attempt was thwarted. Right-footed attempt from the middle of the box by Jessie Fleming (Chelsea Women) is blocked. Pernille Harder assisted.

  12. The attempt has been saved. Chelsea Women’s Sam Kerr’s header from the middle of the box is saved in the goal. Ji So-Yun assisted.

  13. Arsenal Women, you’re on the wrong side of the goal. Nikita Parris gets caught offside as Kim Little attempts a through ball.

  14. Chelsea Women’s Substitution Millie Bright is replaced by Jessie Fleming.

  15. Arsenal Women’s Nikita Parris receives a yellow card for a harsh foul.

  16. Chelsea Women’s Magdalena Eriksson earns a free kick in the defensive half.

  17. Nikita Parris was called for a foul (Arsenal Women).

  18. Arsenal Women have made a substitution. Lia Wälti is replaced by Charlotte Wubben-Moy.

  19. Arsenal Women have made a substitution. Due to an injury, Anna Patten takes the position of Beth Mead.

  20. Chelsea Women’s Substitution Guro Reiten is replaced by Jonna Andersson.

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