Arsenal's Champions League campaign was on the brink, but a hard-fought victory against Benfica offered a glimmer of hope... but at what cost? Midfielder Mariona Caldentey's stark assessment – "almost everything needs to be better" – paints a worrying picture despite the 2-0 win. Let's dive into the details of this less-than-convincing performance.
Beth Mead's scrappy goal, a fortunate scramble in the box that saw the ball barely trickle over the line, and Alessia Russo's late finish secured the points in Lisbon. While the result was positive, the performance at the Estádio da Luz left much to be desired. Arsenal's persistent struggle to convert possession into clear-cut chances remains a major headache for manager Jonas Eidevall. Is this just a temporary blip, or a deeper systemic issue?
Caldentey, in her post-match interview with Disney+, didn't mince words. "Really happy because we have won… At the same time, we need to be better." When pressed on specifics, her response was blunt: "Almost everything. We need to be more consistent defensively and we have so much quality up front that we should score more goals." She further emphasized that the issue wasn't confined to a few individuals, but rather a collective responsibility. "It’s not one or two players, it’s all of us. Football is about momentum and sometimes it’s hard to change that dynamic.” This raises a crucial question: how can Arsenal regain their winning momentum and unlock their full potential?
This return to Lisbon held a different weight compared to their euphoric Champions League final triumph against Barcelona in May. Back then, playing at Sporting CP’s José Alvalade Stadium, Arsenal arrived as underdogs, but with unwavering belief fueled by an impressive run to the final. This time, the Gunners were a team seemingly burdened by the weight of expectation after a stuttering start to the season. The contrast is stark: from spirited underdogs to a team struggling to live up to its own hype.
Arsenal's domestic form has been patchy, with seven points dropped in their opening six WSL games. A four-game winless streak, punctuated by a 2-1 defeat to Lyon in their Champions League opener and only halted by a narrow 1-0 victory against Brighton, highlighted their struggles. And this is the part most people miss... the pressure of expectation can be a crippling force, especially for a team with Arsenal's ambitions.
Manager Eidevall made several changes to the lineup that faced Brighton, with Lotte Wubben-Moy replacing the injured 19-year-old Katie Reid (groin injury) in central defense. But changes alone cannot solve underlying issues.
The first half mirrored Arsenal's recent struggles. They dominated possession, holding almost 70% of the ball, but lacked the killer instinct in the final third. Despite their dominance, Benfica matched them with five shots and even surpassed them with two shots on target compared to Arsenal's zero. This underlines a worrying trend: Arsenal's inability to translate possession into meaningful goal-scoring opportunities. But here's where it gets controversial... Is Arsenal's tactical approach too predictable, allowing opponents to effectively nullify their attacking threat?
It took a chaotic moment in Benfica's penalty area to break the deadlock. Caldentey's cross towards Mead sparked a scramble, with the ball deflecting off Beatriz Cameirão, Diana Gomes, and finally Mead, who managed to nudge it over the line. The goal itself was far from convincing, reflecting the overall lack of fluency in Arsenal's play.
The second half lacked urgency and directness, further compounded by injuries to key players Emily Fox and Steph Catley. These injuries only added to Arsenal's growing list of concerns. As the game progressed, Benfica grew in confidence, sensing an opportunity to snatch a draw. However, Russo's late goal, a well-timed finish from Chloe Kelly's low free-kick, sealed the victory for Arsenal. It was only their second shot on target of the entire match.
While Arsenal secured a vital win, they know they have considerable work to do. Benfica, despite the defeat, were encouraged by their performance. “The result is not positive, it’s a loss, but the performance was great,” said their manager, Ivan Baptista, to Disney+. “The result was open until the 90th minute, not everyone can do that against Arsenal.” This raises an interesting point: are other teams starting to figure out how to exploit Arsenal's weaknesses?
Arsenal's victory was more of a sigh of relief than a celebration. The performance highlighted their ongoing struggles in front of goal and raised questions about their overall form. Have Arsenal peaked too soon? Is Eidevall the right manager to guide them to Champions League glory? And ultimately, can they rediscover the spark that made them such a formidable force? What are your thoughts? Share your opinions in the comments below!
