FAWSL 2021/2022: The clever tactics behind “brave” Birmingham’s shock win against “out-of-sorts” Arsenal – tactical analysis

After a short break over the festive period, the WSL returned to us with just three fixtures going ahead. One of those was league leaders Arsenal Women’s trip to struggling Birmingham City Women, who had only picked up a solitary point from a possible 30 so far. Meanwhile, Arsenal had yet to lose a league game in 2021/2022, so it was undeniably the biggest shock so far when Birmingham claimed all three points and became only the third team to prevent Arsenal from scoring during the current campaign (alongside Barcelona Femeni and Chelsea Women).

However, as this tactical analysis will demonstrate, Darren Carter’s side were good value for their win, with some well-thought-out tactics the secret to their success. The analysis will look at how they set up defensively in a way that frustrated Arsenal and prevented Jonas Eidevall’s side from playing to their strengths, whilst also indicating how their attacking quality ensured that that defensive robustness was rewarded with the win.

Lineups

Birmingham City Women made just two changes to the side that lost to fellow strugglers Leicester City Women in their last outing. Interim head coach Darren Carter handed a start to on-loan Manchester United Women goalkeeper Emily Ramsey in place of Marie Hourihan, who was unavailable, whilst midfielder Lucy Whipp dropped to the bench and was replaced by Republic of Ireland international Lucy Quinn. Former Liverpool Women midfielder Christie Murray and Greece attacker Veatriki Sarri kept their places in the midfield, whilst striker Libby Smith, who was instrumental in helping Leicester to promotion from the Women’s Championship last season, once again led the line.

Arsenal Women, meanwhile, made four changes to the team that suffered an away defeat to Hoffenheim Frauen in their final Champions League group game. Australia goalkeeper Lydia Williams will be unavailable for the next group of matches, alongside Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley, as all three have joined up with the Matildas’ squad for the Asia Cup. The return of first-choice stopper Manuela Zinsberger was therefore timely, as was Noelle Maritz’s availability, with the Switzerland international also missing the trip to Germany. She took Anna Patten’s place at right-back, with Patten recently sealing a loan move to Aston Villa Women for the rest of the season. The other alterations saw England midfielder Jordan Nobbs and Denmark defender Simone Boye Sorensen come off the bench to start in midfield and defence respectively, replacing Lia Walti and Catley.