Righto, that is us – our report will be up presently, so check back here or on the site for that. Otherwise, enjoy the rest of the weekend and stick with us for the rest of the afternoon’s football, lovely football.
A primer for our 4.30pm game.
“It is blatantly obvious something isn’t right,” emails Paul de Wit. “Viv looked very unhappy and who would blame her? She was on the bench again for the second game in a row. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON, EIDEVALL? She single-handedly ensured Arsenal got to the Champions League group-stage in a dire Arsenal performance in Amsterdam. And you bench her without a satisfactory and plausible explanation? We deserve to know.
While I admit the team performed very well in Lyon without her, it must be noted that Lyon was an unrecognisable shadow of itself. And Liverpool today in the second half were exerting so much pressure on Arsenal that Arsenal couldn’t really or did not really want to create any real chances. In both games the buildup from the bag was still excruciatingly slow too often. Many passes in the second half did not arrive. And in the 10 minutes that Vivianne played her passes were more incisive and dangerous and beautiful than what I had seen in the entire game.
I fear that Vivianne signed a new contract on the condition that there was going to be a concerted effort to win silverware – and now it looks as if she is being sidelined.”
I think Arsenal played within themselves in the second half, so wouldn’t read too much into that. But I was surprised Miedema didn’t start today, as I was at how late she came on, and I’d expect her to be agitated by that. One match off to execute a specific tactical plan can be coped with – angrily – but the one after too? I guess we’ll see what team’s picked next weekend against West Ham, which will give us a sign as to Eidevall’s thinking, and then again when the next big match comes round. I’d expect to see Miedema back at some point, but you’ve to wonder how her relationship with her manager proceeds if it’s not very soon.
More reading for you.
Back to the WSL, there’s still plenty of action to come today. At 3pm we’ve got Leicester v Man United and West Ham v Reading, then at 6.45pm it’s Brighton v Chelsea. Not bad.
At St Mary’s, it’s not quite as one-sided as was, but Southampton haven’t created owt of note.
Goodness me, Ings has scored again – this time from the penalty spot. Villa lead Brentford 3-0 after 14 minutes.
Youri Tielemans has put Leicester in front at Wolves, who are going to find themselves in a lot of trouble if they don’t sort themselves soon.
Ouch! Danny Ings has put Villa 2-0 up, seven minutes into life without Steven Gerrard, while Arsenal, who’ve been battering Southampton from kick-off, have just constructed a lovely goal, Saka and White turning the right flank and Xhaka clipping home with his right foot and on the half-volley – his second right-footer in a week, his second right-footer for Arsenal.
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And here is your answer:
I’d never have got this.
While we wait for our report to land, let’s have a quiz: who is this?
Aston Villa have taken the lead against Brentford two playing minutes after dissing Steven Gerrard; Leon Bailey is the scorer.
And we’re just under way at St Mary’s, where Southampton are the latest side to try and disrupt Arsenal’s momentum. Join Gregg Bakowski for that, nar.
Some reading for you…
And what’s this? I really, really don’t want to perform exegesis on a conversation I can’t hear, but we see footage of Eidevall and Miedema in conversation, and Miedema is not happy; she offers an opinion, Eidevall looks at her with understanding eyes, and gives her a pat as she departs. I’ve no idea how this will develop.
Bigups to Arsenal, who might’ve started slowly after their midweek efforts. But they scored with their first two shots of the game, effectively ending the contest, and saw the match out without extending themselves unduly.
Full-time: Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal
A routine win for Arsenal, who move back to the top of the table and equal their own and Man City’s record of 10 league games without conceding; they’ve also now won 12 league games straight. Liverpool, meanwhile, lose without scoring for the third time in a row and are ninth, but they’ve reasons to be cheerful – they’re going about things in the right way and should improve through the season.
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90+3 min Nobbs wins the ball high and Miedema picks it up painting a pass out to Foord with the outside of her right foot. Foord’s cross is a goodun too, but Mead, in the middle and six yards out, gets her feet wrong and punches a finish over the top. Her mouth hangs open in surprise at what she’s done, but it’s not going to matter to anyone but her.; killers are as killers do.
90+3 min Final change for Arsenal, Iwabuchi replacing Maanum.
90+2 min Catley, given time and space to outswing a cross towards the back post, picks out Mead – who’s had a quiet afternoon – and falling, Mead still manages a half-volley, but can’t generate sufficient power to trouble Laws unduly.
90+1 min There’ll be four minutes of added time.
90 min Liverpool send on Robe and Roberts for Hinds and Campbell.
89 min It’s going to be very hard for anyone to stop Arsenal this season. They look, to me, to have greater fluidity than Chelsea and also more options to win games that aren’t going their way. I’d never write off a side with Pernille Harder and Sam Kerr in attack, but I don’t see the same tempo and variety in Emma Hayes’ team.
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87 min Kearns has played well since coming on and she weaves through midfield, away from Maanum, then finds Stengel … who allows the ball under her studs. Gah! Matthews then catches up with it down the left, just, but can’t gets a decent cross into the box.
86 min Fara gives Foord player of the match. I might’ve gone for Maanum, but Foord is fair enough.
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85 min A goal for Liverpool now would pigeon the cat, but there’s no suggestion one is en route. Meantime, Arsenal progress down the right and Mauritz’s cross, seeking Miedema, is blocked behind by Matthews.
84 min Liverpool send on Furness for Lawley.
83 min Hinds swings a switch long and when Little misses her clearance, the ball arrives nicely at Fahey 25 yards out, who controls by knocking it up … only to hold back on her volley that’s on target, but looping nicely at Zinsberger who holds easily. A bit of swazz, striking across it, and she was in business.
81 min Lawley runs at Mautiz and looks to go at her on the outside, but Mauritz stands up well, refusing to commit to the challenge that’ll allow the ball to be taken away from her, and wins the throw.
80 min Liverpool have done well in the second half, though it’s fair to posit that after a massive physical effort and mental peak in midweek, Arsenal have let the second half slide without imposing their usual intensity.
78 min I hate to bang on about Miedema, but I can’t lie: she’s one of my favourites, and I can’t see her being on the bench is sustainable. So, what needs to happen for her to earn her place back and, more than that, which place is available to her? I can’t see Eidevall leaving out Maanum, so is it just Blackstenius under threat?
77 min Double change for Arsenal, Beattie and Miedema on for McCabe and Blackstenius.
76 min Maanum half-clears the corner and the ball drops for Hinds, who has more time than she thinks – she could get it out of her feet – but instead rushes her shot, which slides wide.
75 min And this time the delivery is good! Maybe Kearns should’ve started for that reason! But Wubben-Moy is up with Flaherty and does enough, the ball flicking off her back and flying behind.
74 min Koivisto slams into Mead and wins Liverpool a corner…
72 min And here’s the difference! Mead breaks through midfield, slides in Foord to her left with a simple but ideally-weighted pass … and Laws makes a fine save, coming out, making herself big, and thrusting up a hand to paw the ball away from her face. Foord should’ve scored, but.
72 min Liverpool send on Kearns for Daniels.
70 min Stengel wins it in midfield and the ball moves through her to Lawley and Hinds – Liverpool are actually doing nicely in general play – but their decision-making in the final third is letting them down, and ultimately, so is a lack of relative class.
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69 min I thought Miedema might’ve come on, not just for political reasons but because I thought Eidevall might want her composure on the ball to slow the game down a little. But she remains sat at the side.
67 min How good is it to see Jordan Nobbs working her way back? She deserved to be in that England squad, missed it with injury having suffered with one the previous season too, then had to watch her mates realising their dreams without her. No doubt she was buzzing for them, but…
66 min Liverpool get the corner away, then win a throw which Campbell takes from more or less in the stand. But Maanum is up to win the first header and Arsenal clear then, when the ball comes back also via Campbell, Stengel throws a head, but it’s behind her so goes behind.
65 min Before it, Arsenal make two changes and neither of them are Miedema; Mauritz and Nobbs replace Wienroither and Walti.
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64 min I wonder if wee might see Miedema soon; Arsenal aren’t dominating as they were before half-time though, as I type that, Maanum and Blackstenius combine to win a corner down the right.
62 min Liverpool have been a bit more competitive this half – they’re making it more physical and, as I type that, Holland, after being rinsed by Little’s footwork, hauls her down.
59 min More Arsenal possession, but they’ve not created anything this half. Though as I type that, I remember that they started the first half slowly, Maanum spreads to Foord, and a beautifully-weighted ball in behind releases Blackstenius! She drives low but too close to Laws, who saves, then the flag goes up, but that wasn’t offside I don’t think.
57 min Little wriggles down the left and finds Foord who, with noting on, goes backwards and Arsenal probe … until Catley passes into touch. Liverpool’s little passage, though, appears to have faded and as I type that, Flaherty pumps a ball into the box that Zinsberger claims under no pressure whatsoever.
56 min On Liverpool, I should say that I like what they’re trying to do, playing out from the back and seeking to impose their game. But I’m reminded of Man United trying that at Man City and having their posteriors presented to them, which is to say you can’t do that against a team that good because it’s exactly what they want you to do.
55 min You’ve got to hand it to Frida Maanum, she’s taking her chance and then some. She’s doing brilliantly in the left half-space and slides Foord to the line … but Foord goes to soon and is offside.
53 min Beth Mead, by the way. I know Putellas was a worthy winner of the Ballon d’Or and is probably the world’s best, but part of me thinks in a tournament year, its definitive player should get the gong.
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51 min This has been Liverpool’s best spell of the game, but they’ve nothing to show for it. Can they maintain pressure?
49 min Looking at the handball again, Foord’s arm isn’t in an unnatural position, but when you boot it into yourself like that, it’s hard to complain if you’re penalised. i say that as centre-forward who once thought I’d be helpful and defend a corner, my team leading 1-0 and with minutes to go. My cunning overhead kick got the ball away, then hit my arm above my head, and I slunk away in shame.
48 min Campbell finds Stengel who crosses, and when Foord has a swipe and misses, Liverpool appeal for handball! In the meantime, though, Koivisto stretches into a poke and should score, but doesn’t get enough power or direction on the shot, allowing Zinsberger to save, and with no VAR, that’s the end of the penalty decision.
47 min If Arsenal win this, they go top above Man United, who play Leicester at 3pm. They’re currently a goal better off, but United will at least equal that with a win, unless Arsenal score more. Which, if we’re honest, seems likely.
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46 min We go again and, by the look of how Liverpool lined up, they might’ve gone to 4-3-3.
I keep saying it because I can’t believe it’s happening: you’ll struggle beat a better team that plays 4-3-3 playing 3-4-3. Join me again in 10 to see if anything changes.
Half-time: Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal are absolute class and on an absolute buzz. They’re not even playing that well and they’re still far too good for Liverpool.
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45+1 min The ball comes back in and Stengel jumps with Zinsberger … introducing back of head to phizog. The keeper goes down, but I think she’ll be fine and, in co-comms, Fara reckons Stengel knew she couldn’t make her header but challenged anyway, knowing the potential outcome.
45 min Liverpool win a corner down the left as we learn there’ll be one minute of added time; Wubben-Moy heads it clear. She’s been excellent so far.
44 min Arsenal are taking Liverool apart down their left and McCabe sets Maanum away, who drives into the box. A fine, desperate challenge from Flaherty, who’s doing her best to keep the score down, foils the initial opportunity, but Maanum tees up Little … who hammers over the top from the edge. That should’ve been 0-3.
43 min I mean, I know that could happen whatever formation Liverpool field, but there’s no need for Arsenal to have numerical advantages all over the pitch.
42 min Liverpool must surely change things at half-time, either by going 4-3-3 or 3-5-2; this 3-4-3 is offering Arsenal command of both wide and central areas.
40 min Little opens up the game with a fine pass down the left for Foord; she has to go backwards, but then Wubben-Moy swerves a terrific ball in from deep and Flaherty chucks a head at it, forcing Laws to tip over the bar. The corner, though, comes to nothing.
39 min Daniels wins a second ball with a fine header and Hinds has space down the right. Her cross is a goodun too, forcing Catley into a slide; her heart will’ve been in her mouth because it could go anywhere, but drops just wide of the far post and again the corner is a poor one, allowing Zinsberger to claim.
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38 min Liverpool really need to do something about their crossing, from corners in particular. They’ve made their way into the final third a fair few times, but the delivery and decision-making at that point means they’ve created more or less nothing.
37 min But as I type that, a quickly-taken free-kick sees Lawley down the left and this time her cross is nicely bent, but Catley is there ahead of Stengel and Zinsberger to head behind; the corner is a poor one and comes to nowt.
36 min Arsenal knock it about and Liverpool are feeding off the scraps of scraps.
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34 min Liverpool are trying to get players forward when they get the opportunity to, and Lawley hammers a cross that yields a throw. Campbell looks to go long, instead goes short, but seems to fool even her own teammates and Hinds’ subsequent cross is headed away easily enough.
32 min Koivisto needs a bit of attention, some substance or others smeared around her eye, but she’ll be fine.
31 min A lovely touch from Maanum takes her through midfield and there’s space in behind for Mead! But when the ball comes, her touch is poor, so it sneaks away.
31 min It’s a fair old while since Liverpool mustered anything of note, and I’ve not a clue how they change that. Arsenal are purring.
29 min Liverpool win a free-kick 40 yards out and they need to try and force something here. Instead of going directly into the box, the ball goes wide to Lawley … but her cross is a poor one, dropping behind, and now Arsenal build again.
27 min Arsenal have won their last 28 league games after scoring first. It’s hard to see that changing today.
26 min Fara reckons it’s Maanum not Miedema because the latter wants more touches of the ball whereas the latter is more direct. That makes sense – and it’s working – but I wonder if we’ll see the latter at centre-forward at some point.
24 min As we said earlier, Liverpool’s 3-4-3 formation makes them vulnerable in wide areas and here comes Foord – she’s having a very good game here – and she drills a shot that clips the far post! If Liverpool aren’t careful, or Arsenal aren’t merciful, this could get messy.
ANOTHER LOVELY GOAL! Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal (Maanum 22)
Arsenal move the ball down the left and Foord slips in Maanum, who drives straight at then past Flaherty – the angle she picked there, cutting across, makes the shooting opportunity – and with Laws expecting a far-post finish, she slams inside the near instead. Another one chalked up for Jonas Eidevall; penny for them, Vivianne!
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21 min Liverpool try to play out but Arsenal stop them, and Matthews’ hump ends up with Zinsberger. A succession of big challenges, though, pin Arsenal back, and Stengel crosses well from the right, but Matthews, stood still, can’t find the angle she needs to impart a decent header.
19 min Blackstenius diddles Campbell down the right with lovely soft feet and drills a cut-back that only narrowly eludes Foord. Arsenal are in charge of this game now, their high press making it really difficult for Liverpool to get anything going.
18 min Little gives it away in midfield, and these are the chances Liverpool need to take to counter, but Holland passes backwards.
17 min Stengel runs the inside-left channel and clashes with Wubben-Moy; they both fall, but the free-kick goes to Arsenal.
LOVELY GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal (Walti 15)
The delivery from the corner is good but Fahey gets first contact on the header. The ball, though, drops beautifully for Walti on the right of the box, who swings her right boot and connects beautifully, one of those that feel like a tickle but depart like a rocket, into the far corner. That’s her first goal in time, and she enjoys the absolute hell out of it.
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14 min Here come Arsenal again, and they win a corner…
13 min In co-comms, Fara Williams notes that Liverpool are defending in 4-3-3 and Arsenal aren’t moving it quickly enough to pick routes through. But they do work their way downfield, then quick passes between Little and Mead see Blackstenius slid down the right side of the box. She screws her shot somewhat, so it nearly becomes a perfect cross for Foord sliding in at the far post but just unable to poke home.
11 min From it, Wubben-Moy wins first contact, but the ball skids sideways off her heed and Liverpool get it away. This has been an interesting opening, but I think the game is now proceeding in the expected manner, Arsenal probing and Liverpool closing down space.
11 min Arsenal are taking over here, Mead laying back to Maanum who swings over another decent cross, and this time Flaherty has to concede the corner.
9 min But Arsenal get it wide and McCabe – what a player she is – swings a cross over to the back post, where Mead waits. But in the time it takes to come down, Campbell is able to get in front of her, blocking at source what looks like a decent volley, and the ensuing corner comes to nowt.
8 min Liverpool are doing a good job of shutting down the passing lanes as Arsenal try and move the ball out from the back – this latest attempt sees Zinsberger hump long, devoid of options.
6 min Liverpool have only scored twice this season, both of those goal penalties, but Beard reckons they’ve been creating chances so he’s not worried. They’ll also have Shanice van de Sanden and Leanne Kiernan back soon, but in the meantime they’re doing a good job of pinning Arsenal back.
5 min Arsenal haven’t got going yet, but here’s Maanum looking to stick Blackstenius in behind … and the ball runs through to Laws.
4 min It should be noted that Arsenal, who’ve not conceded a goal in nine league games, are without Rafaelle and Williamson, their two first-choice centre-backs. And Liverpool have a free-kick after a handball from Little, but when the ball’s pumped into the box, Wubben-Moy again gets a head on it.
2 min Campbell looks to go near post, but ends up driving it into the side-netting, raising an arm in apology. But Liverpool have started well.
2 min Lawley moves down the left and slings over a decent cross; Wubben-Moy gets a good flick on it, taking it away from Stengel, but Liverpool parlay the situation into a corner.
1 min The ref is Anthony Backhouse, or Anthony Shed as some call him.
1 min The players take the knee, and off we go! For those watching in black and white, Liverpool are in red and Arsenal in baby pink.
The players are out and so is the sun.
I don’t totally get that, I must say. I understand that’s Liverpool’s system, but to me that’s allowing Arsenal to dominate in midfield with the extra player, and also overload out wide – think Chelsea v Man United yesterday, until Graham Potter brought on Kovacic for Cucurella.
BBC reckon Liverpool are playing 3-4-3, with Fahey, Flaherty and Campbell at the back and Koivisto, Hinds, Holland and Matthews in midfield.
Beard says his side have been strong at home and are looking forward to the game because they enjoy playing the top teams. Eidevall, meanwhile, says it’s been a tight turnaround, but the team have plenty of self-confidence; on Miedema, he tells us that the performance in Lyon was the best under him, so Maanum deserves to keep her place.
It’s less minging in Liverpool than in London, where it’s been hosing it down all morning. I daresay Arsenal will be happier about that than their hosts.
Back to Charles Antaki’s point about Miedema, I thought she might come back in up front, with Maanum staying in and perhaps Blackstenius dropping out. But you can’t argue with a 5-1 win in Lyon – I hope the team celebrated by getting involved in the local cuisine.
I guess Liverpool will look to defend deep and stay narrow in midfield, forcing Arsenal to go around the sides. That’ll mean work for Wienroither and McCabe, who’ll need to supply the width while Mead and Foord head towards goal, while their midfield three keep the ball moving to try and pick holes in the Liverpool back four.
So how do you stop Arsenal? Also, what’s 22 divided by seven?
Email! “Well, it worked last time,” says Charles Antaki. “Miedema on the bench and the team beating the European champions 5-1. There’s a joke to be had, I guess, about her liking the deep-lying role and now getting her wish, lying so deep she’s off the pitch; but one can understand her bemusement at Maanum getting an outing against a team who really shouldn’t need her pile-driver style. And if the team win again, Miedema will be asking herself, then what?”
Yes, I’m sure her conversation with Eidevall was an interesting one. No doubt she’ll be back in at some point, but it seems unlikely she’ll be happy being left in reserve for the biggest games.
We have arrived 👋 pic.twitter.com/HdMqD0fKpB
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) October 23, 2022
As for Liverpool, I think they’ll play 4-3-3 today, as opposed to the 3-4-3 they tried in narrow defeat at Spurs last time out. To effect that, Matt Beard makes two changes in personnel: Kearns and Furness drop out, with Campbell and Holland coming in.
OK, I was wrong: Miedema remains on the bench, which for a killer of her calibre must sting hard. But when you do what Arsenal did in midweek, it makes a fair amount of sense to change nowt, which is exactly what Eidevall has done – or hasn’t done.
Teams!
Arsenal (a non-negotiable 4-3-3): Zinsberger; Wienroither, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe; Little, Maanum, Walti; Mead, Blackstenius, Foord. Subs: Marckese, Williams, Beattie, Maritz, Reid, Nobbs, Miedema, Iwabuchi, Agyemang.
Liverpool (what looks like a 4-3-3): Laws; Koivisto, Flaherty, Fahey, Matthews; Campbell, Hinds, Holland; Lawley, Stengel, Daniels. Subs: Cumings, Kirby, Robe, Roberts, Kearns, Wardlaw, Furness, Humphrey, Silcock.
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Preamble
Morning all, and, well, good luck Liverpool. No, this isn’t your implacably neutral MBM expressing partiality, rather the milk of human kindness, because Arsenal are on one. So far this season, they’ve won three out of three in the league, scoring nine and conceding none then, in midweek, they went to Lyon and devastated the champions of Europe by an obscene margin of 5-1.
And it’s not just the players who are feeling themselves, though they are. In midweek, Jonas Eidevall left out the great Vivianne Miedema – who on earth does that? – for Frida Maanum, and was rewarded with exactly the kind of driving performance he anticipated. So today, Miedema will presumably return absolutely rabid to ensure her manager never dares do that again. Yeah, good luck Liverpool.
But Liverpool have game of their own. On the opening weekend of the season, they inflicted a major shock upon Chelsea, coming from behind to defeat the champions of England, and though they’ve lost twice since, they’ll want to get in amongst it and make the game as nasty as possible. So stick with me, because this should be a lot of fun.
Kick-off: 12pm BST
