FAWSL 2020/2021: Brighton and Hove Albion Women v Arsenal Women – tactical analysis

The WSL has been back with us for a good few weeks now, and this fixture saw one of the early form teams, Arsenal Women, travel to former England boss Hope Powell’s Brighton and Hove Albion Women. The game ended 5-0 to Arsenal, but it was not as one-sided as that may suggest. This tactical analysis will look at Arsenal’s defensive tactics, as well as how they looked to push forward in attack when in possession. The analysis will also look at Brighton’s defence in the first and second half, seeing how Hope Powell made tactical changes to help them stem the attacking flow from Arsenal.

Lineups

If we first look at the lineups, Brighton and Hove Albion Women made just two changes from the side that lost 3-0 away to Manchester United Women, with versatile defender Victoria Williams and Republic of Ireland midfielder Megan Connolly both dropping to the bench. In came New Zealand centre-back Rebekah Stott and another Republic of Ireland international, striker Rianna Jarrett, to replace them.

Arsenal Women, meanwhile, made two changes of their own, with Austria captain Viktoria Schnaderbeck relegated to the bench and England midfielder Jordan Nobbs injured. In came Leonie Maier at right-back, and Switzerland midfielder Malin Gut, who made her first league start since her move this summer to Arsenal from Grasshopper.