Chelsea cruised past Arsenal in the fifth round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, recording a 2-0 win at Kingsmeadow this afternoon.
Sophie Ingle and Sam Kerr got the goals for The Blues as they eased into the quarter-finals in front of a healthy crowd of 2,888.
Both sides laid out stellar teams despite concerns of potential fatigue for some players following the international window. The likes of Millie Bright, Lauren James and Sam Kerr all started for Chelsea after hectic involvement for their respective nations while Arsenal included their Australian players who had returned from a trip across the world in recent days.
There were nervy moments for both defences early on. A shot from Frida Maanum required a crucial save from Chelsea keeper Ann-Katrin Berger while opposite number Manuela Zinsberger produced a vital save at the other end.
Arsenal were giving far too much space to James to run despite midfield maestro Lia Wälti being back in the side. That being said, The Gunners’ midfield was a lot more convincing and connected than in previous weeks, albeit very disjointed at times.
The North Londoners’ lack of containment on James was duly punished when Ingle found the opener for the Blues. James danced around defenders and played her teammate in perfectly to fire the ball into the bottom corner of the Arsenal net.
In an all t0o familiar story for the visitors, a lovely run from Stina Blackstenius went to waste as Arsenal were unable to find an equaliser. Both sides tried to capitalise through some promising set-piece situations but the contest entered half-time with that early Ingle goal separating the sides.
Ten minutes into the second half, some poor defensive work from Arsenal and a slip-up from Steph Catley allowed fellow Australian Kerr to break through. She made no mistake, earning her side their second goal of the afternoon.
Arsenal were poor when in control of possession and they struggled to counter Chelsea’s aggression, ultimately looking a little flat across the pitch. Maanum’s stoppage time free-kick was dispatched over the bar, summing up The Gunners’ afternoon and echoing the club’s season-long set-piece struggles.
Despite having created some good chances in the second half, Arsenal were unable to break down Chelsea’s ruthless defence with the game ending 2-0 in The Blues’ favour.
The two sides meet again next weekend as they contest the 2022/2023 FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup final at Selhurst Park.
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