Arsenal returned to footballing action with a bang as they brushed aside Watford to get their FA Cup campaign up and running. Goals from Russo, Wälti, Blackstenius, Ilestedt and Leonhardsen Maanum gave Arsenal a resounding 5-1 victory over their London rivals, but poor finishing and silly errors in defence continue to hold them back.
Despite the comfortable appearance of the scoreline, it did not convey the full narrative of the performance. Although Arsenal dominated possession, territory, and the shot counter, they were only 2-0 up at half time and only 3-1 up with 5 minutes to play. It was only after a late rally against tired legs did the scoreboard truly reflect the dominance they had held over their training ground neighbours. 2023 may be far away in the rear-view mirror, but the problems exhibited in its denouement were still on display here. Jonas spoke in his pre-match conference about the lack of high-quality chances Arsenal were creating against low block defences, something which cost them so dear in their defeat to Spurs before the break. And whilst the chances created here were at least of a much better quality than their previous venture, they were still cast aside with infuriating regularity.
Unlike at Spurs, Arsenal were indebted to already being 2 goals to the good before their allergy to finishing kicked in. Pelova’s drive should have been an easy take for Goldsmid, only for her to spill it, a New Year’s gift that Russo was only too eager to gobble up. If the first goal was an error, the second was a work of art. A short corner routine, Pelova stepped over the pass to the edge of the box, and Wälti swept home to put Arsenal in control. 12 minutes on the clock. Arsenal were in the driver’s seat, only to then veer off course. The high press was working splendidly, denying Watford any route of escape and forcing defensive mistakes. Yet those mistakes weren’t punished, as Viv and Russo lost their composure in the final third and failed to twist the knife.
Pinpoint from Lia 🎯
Highlights are now available to watch from Sunday’s 5-1 win at home to Watford in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup 👇
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) January 15, 2024
For Viv, it was an opportunity missed. Fans are eagerly awaiting her first goal following her ACL comeback, and this fixture looked to be the opportune moment. There were some great touches in the box as she manoeuvred herself gracefully past the bewildered defenders, but her usual killer touch in front of goal was found wanting. A volley from a Mead free kick should have been that moment, only for her strike it straight at the keeper. When Goldsmid was caught in no-man’s land, her tame effort at their unguarded net was easily delt with by the retreating defence. However, whilst her striking boots were missing on the day, her interplay, especially from the wide areas, bodes well going forward as she continues her rehabilitation into the side.
As for Russo, it was a mixed afternoon, with her early goal setting the tone, only to then flounder when better chances arrived. An Agyemang error saw the ball land at her feet in the box, but she screwed the effort wide when 1v1. A brilliant dancing run by Foord drew the defence, she fed Viv, and her low cross should have been converted, only for Russo to hit the post instead. Her off the ball work, occupying the defenders and leading the press, gave Arsenal the platform to exert their authority on the day, but the absence of a clinical edge once again gives the sense of a striker who could offer more.
The main frustration is that Arsenal were always going to have strong chances, simply because of the calibre of opposition in Watford. They are bottom of the League, with just one win all season. And Jonas hadn’t opted to go second string, this was a first choice XI, with Emily Fox making her debut at right back. But their profligacy when confronted with numerous gilt-edged opportunities does not bode well when the quality of opposition increases next weekend. The door will not be as wide open was it was here today. Ruthlessness, rather than wastefulness demonstrated here, is what Arsenal will require as they look to chase down Chelsea and Man City.
The start to the second half didn’t bring much joy, as Arsenal struggled to find the breakthrough. Watford were indebted their keeper for some smart saves, and to Katie Reid, an Arsenal loanee, who marshalled the backline well against the wave of attacks. Emily Fox was having a mixed afternoon on her debut. Attempts to interplay with her teammates often went astray, though understandable considering she has only just arrived. Yet in attack the signs were promising. A driving run in the first half yielded the corner for Wälti’s goal, and a similar run to the by-line in the second half almost set up Viv, only to see her shot brush the wrong side of the side netting. Time and patience will be required as Fox gets up to speed with her teammates, something that sadly will be hampered should she be called up for the Gold Cup.
After 64 minutes and more wastefulness in front of goal, Jonas had seen enough. A quadruple substitution saw a new strike force enter the fray, and within seconds, Arsenal had their clinching third. Pelova with a defence splitting pass, Mead with the dummy, and suddenly Stina was in the clear to slot past Goldsmid for Arsenal’s third. Yet once again, Arsenal failed to kick on, and this time they were punished. An attempt to play out from the back was foiled when Lotte’s pass was intercepted. Wilson quickly worked it to Agyemang, another Arsenal loanee, before the defence could regroup, and she tucked it away against her parent club.
It left Arsenal once again in the position of allowing the opposition to score with their only shot on target of the match, and they had conceded a goal that was both self-inflicted and needless. Luckily, Watford couldn’t muster anything more, and when their legs went, Arsenal sealed the match. An Ilestedt header from a corner, and a composed finished from Frida after a poor Watford clearance, meant the scoreline at least gave a better representation of what had taken place. A win that looked as routine as many would have predicted. But those same old failings still persist, and whilst ultimately not costly in this instance, better teams on the horizon will not be so charitable.
Arsenal v Watford fourth-round FA Cup match photos brought to you by Sophie Scriven.
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