Though we are only in the fifth match week, this match represented a monumental match in terms of who might be lifting the league trophy at the end of the season. League leader’s Manchester City Women made the trip to Meadow Park in an attempt to truly set the tone in this year’s campaign. They are the pacesetters early on with four wins from four coming into this match. Arsenal Women come into the contest looking to avenge a shock 2-1 loss away to the Chelsea Women’s side last weekend. A midweek trip to Slavia Prague restored some order with a 5-2 victory, but City represented a much different obstacle in this fifth match week. This tactical analysis will detail the main tactics from each side in this massive encounter in the FAWSL.
Arsenal Women came away from the match 1-0 winners over their title rivals. Each side had very different approaches coming into this game, with Manchester City Women looking to hold on to their lead at the top of the table. Arsenal Women had a desire to reinstate their dominance in England, and this was evident in their tactical approach. This analysis will detail how Arsenal went about breaking down Citys defensive set-up.
Lineups
Arsenal Women (4-3-3): Manuela Zinsberger; Lisa Evans, Jennifer Beattie, Leah Williamson, Katie McCabe; Lia Walti, Kim Little, Jordan Nobbs; Danielle Van de Donk, Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead
Manchester City Women (4-4-2): Ellie Roebuck; Matilde Fidalgo, Steph Houghton, Gemma Bonner, Demi Stokes; Tessa Wullaert, Jill Scott, Carolina Weir, Lauren Hemp; Janine Beckie, Georgia Stanway
The host’s made one change to their side that started midweek, with Miedema making a return to the side. She had been struggling with an ankle problem but was shown faith by manager Joe Montemurro. Van de Donk has been impressive in her new position out on the right side of the pitch, as she is given the freedom to come in central as she pleases.
Manchester City Women’s manager Nick Cushing had some tougher decisions to make in his squad. An unfortunate injury to Aoife Mannion midweek meant Fidalgo was given her first start of the campaign at right-back. In midfield, Keira Walsh’s suspension created a massive problem for the away side. There is not a player in Cushing’s squad with abilities similar to the 22-year-old, which forced them into a formation switch. Bringing Scott and Weir into the centre of the park was an attempt to replace Walsh’s ability to link play from this area of the pitch, something that is crucial to the way City Women play. Up top, Stanway made her first appearance in the side since their opening match victory over Manchester United.
Arsenal Women’s high press
This may have only been match week five, but Arsenal Women played this match as if it was a cup final. With only twelve teams in the FAWSL, a slow start can end your title challenge before it even begins. Following their defeat against Chelsea last weekend, the London club knew they needed to put in a high-intensity performance.
Cushing set the away side up to defend in numbers. When possession was gained, Arsenal wasted no time in looking to win it back and continue to probe the City block. They achieved this by allowing possession into two specific areas.
The winger and full-back was joined by the centre-midfielder in taking away the forward passing options, as well as the pass back into the centre-half. This normally resulted in a quick recovery of possession. The City player in possession was either dispossessed high up the pitch for Arsenal or went to kick it long. Here, Arsenal’s centre-halves dominated the City Women’s strikers.
