It appears to be just a matter of time before the WSL fully incorporates VAR. But nonetheless, the game was a brilliant display of talent worthy of a clash between the Champions of Europe and the Champions of England.
Later admitting in the post-match press conference that it was an attempt to establish greater “control” of the match, Sonia Bompastor made the interesting decision to bench her wingbacks Sandy Baltimore and Ellie Carpenter. Instead moving to a 4-3-3 with Alyssa Thompson and Johanna Kaneryd on the flanks and Lucy Bronze and Niamh Charles behind as full backs. Baltimore and Carpenter were arguably Chelsea’s two best players in their previous 2-0 win over London City Lionesses with Baltimore assisting Carpenter for their opener. However, with Arsenal having dominated against Leicester’s back three as Stina Blackstenius’ channel runs exploited the space in behind the wingbacks. This was a defensive shift that showed the level of respect a trip to the Emirates still carries even after a mixed start from the Gunners.
Despite this shift, Chelsea began the much better side and deservedly took the lead after eight minutes with Alyssa Thompson justifying her selection with a lobbed finish over Arsenal’s van Domselaar. The Gunners particularly struggled with their pressing structure as Chelsea constantly found ways through. Keira Walsh is central to Chelsea’s buildup as the pivot, so the idea was for Arsenal to surround her and force a high turnover. An approach similar to Sweden’s in the Euros that resulted in an early goal against England in the quarter final. This leaves space for others to collect the ball and if the defense isn’t quick to jump then it gives them time to turn and attack the space. Walsh either played bounce passes to either the full back or centre backs who subsequently found Erin Cuthbert or Wieke Kaptein in space or, when she had time to turn, could make the pass herself as in the case of the goal where Alyssa Thompson was found with space to drive at goal.
Walsh easily finds Alyssa Thompson in space (Image courtesy of the Barclays Women’s Super League YouTube).
After a worrying first fifteen for Arsenal whereby Chelsea could have been 3-0 ahead, Kaneryd hit the post and van Domselaar had to make a double save with the help of the crossbar to deny both Catarina Macario and Wieke Kaptein, they grew into the game and asserted their typical control of possession as they only side averaging over 60% in the WSL. This was where Bompastor’s plan looked to work as they sat deep in a 4-5-1 with Natalie Bjorn blocking Blackstenius’ channel runs and despite a few hiccups from Hannah Hampton and Millie Bright, Chelsea never looked threatened.
Refereeing decisions overshadowed the second half but Renée’s Arsenal did make adjustments that increased the pressure. Hannah Hampton was targeted in the press as she had made a couple of unforced errors with the ball at the first half. It was Blackstenius’ press that forced the corner that turned the game into a debate on VAR.
Blackstenius thinks she’s equalized
For all the screams of injustice over Blackstenius’ disallowed goal, it must be said that the corner shouldn’t have been awarded as it bounced off Caitlin Foord’s toe. Nevertheless, the decision to disallow the goal was poorly communicated so much so that the WSL scorecard took over a minute to adjust back to 0-1 and if VAR was present then the goal would have stood upon rewatch.
Arsenal did rally from their frustration as Chelsea sat deeper, registering no shots from the 64th minute onwards. You could say a sense of justice was restored as Alessia Russo equalized but from an offside position that VAR would have nullified. However, frustration grew again as what seemed to be the winner from Frida Maanum was deemed offside. It was tight but semi-automated offsides would most likely have allowed it.
Russo’s equalizer
Arsenal may feel aggrieved as Renée Slegers stated, “We need justice” in her post-match interview. But with any argument about refereeing, it goes both ways as the Gunners did benefit from incorrect decisions and considering Chelsea’s early dominance, a 1-1 draw was the fair result. Sonia Bompastor arguably got what she wanted with that result, but the real winners turned out to be Man City who go top after their 2-1 win over Everton.
