from Rebecca Hall in Linköping (7/9/23)
Above: Two of Arsenal’s goalscorers Lina Hurtig (left), and Caitlin Foord (right) celebrate together. Photo: Arsenal Women.
Despite a 15-minute delay due to a fire evacuation, the game itself saw a fast-paced start from both sides. An over seven thousand strong crowd were equally involved as both sets of fans fought against each other to cheer their side to victory. The atmosphere for this early-stage Champions League clash certainly did not disappoint, and neither did the goals.
In the opening ten minutes, Arsenal’s Kim Little uncharacteristically missed a penalty and while the quality of Arsenal was undeniable, it was evident the team had had a very short time to fully integrate and prepare for the new season. Fifteen Gunners were selected for the World Cup, and eight of those were involved in the final and third-place match, meaning there were only two weeks between the games in Sydney and Sweden. The word rusty, came to mind, in the first half.
Many players made their debut for Arsenal in this match, including Alessia Russo, Cloe Lacasse, and Amanda Ilestedt. Philippines international, and former Australian international, Angela Beard made her debut just under twenty minutes into the game, coming on for Nellie Karlsson who suffered an early injury. This game also marked returns to Linköping for Stina Blackstenius, Lina Hurtig, and Frida L. Maanum who previously played for the Swedish club.
The stars were not just on the pitch either, cheering the sides on were Matildas stars Kyra-Cooney Cross and Clare Polkinghorne.
After a considerable amount of missed chances and impressive saves by Linköping keeper, Casja Andersson, the peppering shots of Kim Little and Caitlin Foord eventually proved fruitful. It was the Australian star, Foord, who secured Arsenal’s first goal, in the 53rd minute. But Arsenal did not leave it there, back on Swedish soil, Lina Hurtig, carried on the form of her World Cup exploits and scored in the 81st minute. The Swedish theme continued, in the eighty-ninth when Stina Blackstenius netted the ball in the back of the net to make it 3-0.
Reflecting after the game, Jonas Eidevall spoke about the success of the new summer signings, particularly, Cloe Lacasse, and noted the positive impact for the side, such as the fact that “she is quite similar with Beth Mead, so that provides us with good depth and quality on the right side.”
In the latter stages of last season, quality in depth was something Arsenal struggled with as they succumbed to numerous long-term injuries. Eidevall spoke about the importance of now being able to have “a starting 11, but also a finishing 11”. Despite this, Arsenal, arguably, lost a sense of rhythm when making a combined three substitutions.
As a result, there was a ten-minute period where Arsenal’s pressing was not as intense. Eidevall reflected on this and explained the difficulty of playing Linköping’s mid-block, “with so much width, and good passes”. “We got caught in a mid-block because our pressing wasn’t clear enough and we became a bit passive”.
The Arsenal boss also revealed that the North London team are not done in the transfer market, explaining “We are still in the market for a right-back and maybe other positions as well. If we don’t find the right fit then we have three really competent full-backs – Noelle (Maritz), Katie McCabe, and Steph Catley”.
Eidevall commended Lina Hurtig’s goal stating, “I was happy with the goal but I was really happy with her performance. We have seen a really strong Lina returning from the World Cup. Last season it is impossible to judge her with all her injury problems and the inconsistency that created for her”. Hurtig returned to the Linköping pitch with rapturous applause, from both fan bases.
Ireland captain Katie McCabe, shared her joy about the result, telling reporters “It is a massive credit to the girls who came back a week ago, those girls that were in the final stages of the World Cup, and the massive amount of work the girls who came back earlier have done. It was a big, big team effort tonight. We knew it was going to be really difficult, playing away at a team who have played a couple of games already this season”.
The result was not the only positive news surrounding Katie McCabe on matchday as she has been nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. On the momentous occasion, McCabe shared her pride, “It’s a first for an Irish Womens player, so it’s a really nice accolade on a personal level but you can never achieve those things without your teammates”.
The humble captain continued to say “For me, it is always about the team and how we compete and win trophies together, that is why I play a team sport. I love picking up trophies with my teammates but it is always nice to be nominated for a Ballon d’Or – I think it’s the first time I’ve said that”, the player exclaimed with a grin.
McCabe finished the game at right back, to which she proclaimed “I play where I am put”. “With the injury to Laura (Weinroither), we have Noelle (Maritz) in that area and it may be an area Jonas is looking at, but you’d have to ask him” she jests. McCabe insists she “liked it”, “I like inverting and working and linking up with the quality we have in midfield. It’s another new position for me but one to enjoy”.
Matildas star Caitlin Foord talked of the importance of focusing on “getting the job done”, explaining “We knew it was gonna be a grind, and we knew they were gonna be a tough side… if it wasn’t pretty, it didn’t have to be. Obviously its gonna take time for everyone to settle in”.
Foord’s goal, the first of Arsenal’s three, felt important to settle the side. The Aussie agreed, describing the goal as a “massive relief. It takes some pressure off Once you get one in, you feel a bit more in control”. The number 19, also spoke of the new arrivals saying “They are settling in well… they are good additions to the team”.
Arsenal will now play Paris FC on Saturday and Linköping face the Ukrainian team Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih.
Teams: LINKOPING: Andersson, De Jongh, Lenartsson, Lenartsson, Ostlund, Takarada, Kapocs, Karlsson, Momiki, Tandberg, Selerud. Substitutes used: Saving (for De Jongh 88′), Brenn (for Ostlund 88′), Bjork (for Kapocs 88′), Beard (for Karlsson 20′).
ARSENAL: Zinsberger, Little, Ilestedt, McCabe, Maritz, Walti, Wubben-Moy, Foord, Maanum, Russo Lacasse. Substitutes used: Pelova (for Little 72′), Catley (for Maritz 71′), Beattie (for Maanum 82′), Blackstenius (for Russo 61′), Hurtig (for Lacasse 61′).
Scorers: Foord 53′, Hurtig 81′, Blackstenius 90′.
Referee: Deborah Anex.
Attendance: 7,805.
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