It was heartbreak at the Emirates last night, as an Arsenal performance full of heart and desire was not enough to see them book a place in this year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League final in Eindhoven.
The Gunners battled out a 2-2 draw with German club VfL Wolfsburg in 90 minutes to take their semi-final tie into extra-time, but the visitors netted a winner in the additional 30-minute period.
When speaking in the post-match press conference, Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall stressed that while his side were hurting following the defeat, everyone should be immensely proud of what has been achieved.
“There’s no doubt that we are hurting, because it was a game of such fine margins,” the Arsenal boss said. “We’re allowed to hurt, and we’re allowed to feel empty, but we’re also allowed to feel proud of the performance and for the occasion with the supporters that are magnificent.
“You can always make up a narrative once you know the result and I don’t do that. I choose to look at it in the way that as a group, we’ve come to a Champions League semi-final and we made it to the tiniest of margins. With all the injuries and challenges we’ve had, that is actually incredible and I’m so proud of the players and the staff, that they were able to do that.
“I wasn’t that happy with our defending organisation in the latter stages of the first half; I think we collapsed too much and were too passive. We needed to work more actively with our wide forwards and we did that in the second half and in extra-time and I think we got a lot more control. It was important that we managed the ball well, as Wolfsburg pressed very intensely, but we managed to do it well a lot of the time and when I look at goalscoring opportunities, it was a very even game.”
It was the unlikely pairing of centre-backs Lotte Wubben-Moy and Jen Beattie who combined for the equaliser in the 75th minute. It was a tactical change that meant Arsenal went toe-to-toe with VfL Wolfsburg up until the dying moments of the game.
“I think it’s a good tactical decision that we started chasing for the game in the 70th minute and not waiting until the last five minutes of the game,” Eidevall said. “We started creating those opportunities and we were able to equalise the game.
Another player to put in a stand-out performance was Victoria Pelova, who since joining the club in January from Ajax, has settled in very well. She created plenty of her own chances in the game.
“It’s not easy to move to a new country and come into a new team,” said Eidevall. “I think she was one of the best players on the pitch. She can play in the wider areas but also as a six and she’s very good there as well.
“When she plays, it looks like she’s been at the club forever.”
Arsenal are back in action on Friday evening when they face Leicester City at the LV Bet Stadium in Boreham Wood.