In a display of resilience and attacking prowess, Arsenal Women edged out Bristol 2-1 on the road.

The victory, marked by a Katie McCabe brace, leaves the team in seventh place as they head into the international break.

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Katie McCabe of Arsenal celebrates with team mates after scoring the team's second goal during the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Bristol City and Arsenal FC at Ashton Gate Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Katie McCabe of Arsenal celebrates with team mates after scoring the team’s second goal during the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Bristol City and Arsenal FC at Ashton Gate Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)

Arsenal defeated Bristol 2-1 away with a Katie McCabe brace and go into the international break in seventh place three points behind Manchester City and Chelsea.

The Gunners also welcomed back Vivianne Miedema on the pitch a week after Beth Mead’s return to the team. The Dutch forward showed she was already sharp by sending an excellent through ball that deserved a goal.

It is quite telling these days that the squad strength is strong when you have two players injured (Hurtig and Ilestedt), two missing out due to the manager’s choice (Williams and Gio) and still have nine top quality players bench: D’Angelo, Beattie, Kühl, Cooney-Cross, Maanum, Lacasse, Mead, Miedema, Blackstenius. Jonas Eidevall went for the following XI: Zinsberger; Maritz, Wubben-Moy, Codina, Catley; Wälti, Pelova, Little; McCabe, Russo, Foord.

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As it has been recently, the game’s theme was attacking a deep block.

Not everything went right, it was not easy, but one thing worked very well that night. Long range shots with two of them finishing in the back of the net.

We did see some penetration from the wing, some movements and third player run from central area.

Arsenal laid siege to Bristol’s goal. 79% ball possession 25 shots but on 10 on target. 16 corners nearly all of them going into the six yard box with no results.

I found it curious that there was no variation in the area targeted.

It is clear the team is not firing on all cylinders and one of the big problem is the defence:

It has clearly not settled and we alternate between back three and four as well as personnel alteration.

We have not had the same defence in six games this season. Two centre-backs were recruited and have not settled yet.

They have a tough job replacing the Williamson- Rafaelle partnership that was very strong.

At some point, a settled defence needs to be put in place.

Attacking is a different problem with 12 different players available to mix and match for four or five positions on the pitch. Having so many options means we can bring five attacking subs when things do not go our way with different players profile, too.

But it also means working on different partnership, pairing and creating relationship in attack is difficult. You need time to work on patterns and constant changes makes it harder.

Now, we cannot complain about having too many players, when we remember how we ended up in a Champions League semi-final extra time with only three u-17 players to be subbed on and it cost us a place in the final.

This is how the league table looks like now with a key game coming up next with City at home at Meadow Park.

Obviously, it will be a different kind of game as City will try to have the ball possession and Arsenal will be able to use space and pace to get behind them.

I would not be surprised to see D’Angelo and Blackstenius start that game.

But, first, we will need to see if we can get away from the international break injury curse.

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