Jonas Eidevall's decision to start Arsenal's game against Lyon without Vivianne Miedema proved to be the right one with the Gunners' achieving a record 5-1 win over UEFA Women's Champions League holders, Lyon.
Heading into this one, Arsenal were touted as the underdogs against this well-oiled Lyon machine, who have eight Champions League titles to their name. Therefore, seeing 120 time-goalscorer Miedema start on the bench, with both teams having injury worries to contend with was certainly a shock to the fanbase when the team was released at around 7 PM on Wednesday night.
The player who finished just outside of the top 10 at the most recent Ballon d'Or ceremony did get the last ten minutes from the bench but it was a controversial move before the match which paid off in the end due to her replacement Frida Maanum getting in on the goalscoring act alongside Caitlin Foord and Beth Mead.
"Yeah and also Frida is one of our players with the strongest running ability as well," Eidevall said in his post-match press conference via arsenal.com. "I think she carried out that role tonight that required an extreme amount of running, because you basically have to defend two players the whole time.
READ MORE: Arsenal's Jonas Eidevall lists the three qualities that helped Beth Mead with Ballon d'Or achievement
"I think she was brilliant tonight - both off the ball and on. I think it was an excellent performance from her and she should be really proud and happy."
Being hit for five goals meant this was the heaviest home defeat in Lyon's club's history but Eidevall put this feat down to his player's effective play and effort in their opening Group C encounter.
He continued: "We were very effective tonight but as I told the players after, I think they worked extremely hard to carry out the game plan both in offence and in defence, and when you do that sometimes, these things happen.
"But of course, it's a special night - we know that as well. I think it was a well-deserved win but of course, 5-1 is an unexpected result against a very, very strong team, so I'm very happy about that.
"I think I've spoken about this before: you don’t always get rewarded for doing all the right things in football but tonight we got rewarded and that I think that will increase the likelihood of doing the right things again in the future."
Up next for the north Londoners in this congested fixture schedule is Matt Beard's hit-and-miss Liverpool this upcoming Sunday away at Prenton Park. Despite the potency shown by his side against Lyon, something which was not present at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in the fortuitous 1-0 win against Reading, Eidevall was quick to bring his side back down to earth with his 'entitled' verdict.'
Responding to a question about this win proving any team can be beaten by his high-flying side, the 39-year-old said: "Of course, it is very nice to be able to get a result like this.
"But you're not entitled to play like this every game you play. It starts with your preparation. It starts with the way you train. It starts with ensuring that everybody works with the game plan and has big belief in that.
"And that part you have to do for every game. Nothing comes for free in football, you're not entitled to anything."
READ NEXT:
Gabriel Martinelli out, Cedric starts, Bukayo Saka doubt: Arsenal predicted XI vs PSV
We simulated Arsenal vs PSV to get a score prediction for Europa League clash
Martinelli, Zinchenko, Smith Rowe - Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of PSV clash
Arsenal tipped to complete £60m transfer after key contract decision
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
