Arsenal and Chelsea won their respective games 5-0, ending the weekend in a stalemate as Chelsea move closer to the tile with four games to go.

Chelsea currently have 44 points, and a +45 goal difference, while Arsenal have 43 points and a +40 goal difference, as we head into the international break.

They will be play each other when domestic football restarts on Sunday 17 April, in the FA Women’s Cup semi-final, in what is going to be a fascinating contest.

Arsenal suffered no hangover from their Champions League elimination in Germany, by scoring early and relieving any pressure and stress that could have built up had the scoreline stayed 0-0 for too long.

The statistics from the day say it all:

• Ball possession 76% to 24%,
• Shots 30 to 1,
• Shots on target 11 to 0.

The only negative, if we were to find any, is the rest of goals came late – four of them coming between the 67th and 83rd minutes.

Jonas Eidevall made four changes from the team that was beaten by Wolfsburg: Wienroither at right-back for Maritz, Foord on the wing for Catley with McCabe slotting up in defence, Walti, who was de facto suspended by UEFA for Maanum, and Mead, who was suspended in Europe, for Heath.

The game scenario allowed Eidevall to make his usual five substitutions. Rotating and resting are key this season with many competitions and it is interesting to note that only one player has actually played in every game this season.

That is obviously Kim Little, who has retired from international duty, and therefore gets a good rest during each international break.

The top five players are Little 2,927 minutes, McCabe 2,626, Zinsberger 2,610, Mead 2,562, Miedema 2,447.

It is clear that Miedema, who had no rest coming in straight from the Olympics is well managed. She has played 480 minutes fewer than Kim Little. That’s more than five games worth of football.

With Stina Blackstenius now leading the line, and doing the runs in behind the defence, Miedema’s football has evolved in the second half of the season, too.

Arsenal also celebrated a milestone for two players with Katie McCabe and Beth Mead reaching 150 games for the club:

https://twitter.com/ArsenalWFC/status/1510632943210962947

Jordan Nobbs also reached 250 games for the club against Birmingham earlier this month:

A true club legend.
An outstanding midfielder.
An inspiration to all Arsenal fans.

We're so proud of you, @JordanNobbs8 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/MC2q3DrZvE

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) March 6, 2022

It is important to see players stay for a long time at the club to keep the spirit and the traditions alive.

Players like Kim Little or Danielle Carter, who was here for a decade, through the good and the bad, are those who keep the club’s spirit and know what it means to play for the badge.

It is also why it was crucial to keep Leah Williamson at the club, too.

I think it is clear now that Jonas Eidevall will bring new players this summer that will fit his football philosophy and we could see a few fans favourites leave the club as part of this (r)evolution.

This season has seen an improvement from the previous campaigns.

Obviously the league position will improve from 3rd to 2nd, at least. And this is very important in term of players’ rest during the summer.

The Champions League qualifying round 1 will take place on 18-21 August, the same dates as this season, while the second round will take place at the end of September, unlike this year where they took place at the end of August.

We saw that City failed to qualify for the Group stage due to their failed preparation with players coming late from the Olympics.

With the Euros final on 31 July, being able to start a lot later will allow the players to be rested and fresh into the season that will lead to the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New-Zealand.

With four remaining games, the title is in Chelsea’s hands, but there is still hope Arsenal can beat them and pull off a the league and cup double.