Arsenal defeated Benfica on Wednesday 3-0 thanks to an Alessia Russo hat-trick, climbing to third in the Champions League table.
The result means Arsenal are ideally placed before playing the two biggest games in the league phase, away to Barcelona, who are currently top, and OL Lyonnes, who are second.
It seems Arsenal have started to turn things round after a poor start of the 2026/27 season. With two wins in a row, for the first time this season the momentum is positive. The next league game against Villa needs to see another win, if the performance is consistent and good enough.
There are certainly some improvements in term of attacking a low block seen against Benfica, while we saw against Spurs a fighting spirit and mentality. We have seen an evolution in the starting XI with the left wing occupied by Taylor Hinds and Caitlin Foord.
We also saw in the last two games Olivia Smith playing up top and Alessia Russo in behind at number ten. I don’t think the front two selection benefits Smith, but it certainly works out very well for Russo and it benefits the team overall.
We saw a first start from Geraldine Reuteler and Elisa de Almeida. Reuteler bizzarely positioned on the right-wing, staying most of the time in the half-space. At the same time, she is a central player, so putting her out of position for her first start was surprising.
De Almeida did the job, I spoke to her after the game in the mixed zone and she was happy with her performance. She praised all her teammate saying how important the communication had been with Steph Catley in preparation for the game. She mentioned Misa Rodriguez and Ona Batlle too.
In term of injury news, Katie Reid got an ankle knock in training and is likely to be out until after Christmas. Frida Maanum should be in the squad on Sunday against Villa. Mariona Caldentey, Chloe Kelly, Michelle Agyemang and Selina Cerci are also injured. Daphne van Domselaar is very close to being able to play a game.
Agsint Villa, three points are a must to climb up the table and get closer to third place in the WSL as well as the following Sunday away to Liverpool. Then a three-game stretch will define most of the season with Barcelona away, London City Lionesses at home and Lyon at home.
The LCL game is key as they are a direct opponent for the third place in the League, while getting points off Barcelona and OL Lyonnes will decide if Arsenal qualify directly for the Champions League knock-out stage of if they have to go through the play-offs like last season.
It is good to see the team and the players smiling again and getting in a positive mood. Long may it continue now.
- Arteta defends his reaction to Dowman red cardMikel Arteta has defended his initial reaction to Max Dowman after the midfielder’s red card, whilst adding that he’d very disappointing the dismissal wasn’t overturned.
- 2 Liverpool players could return from injury vs ArsenalAndoni Iraola has confirmed that Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz are in contention to return from injury against Arsenal, but four other Liverpool players have been ruled out.
- 3 injured Arsenal players return to training pre-LiverpoolArsenal’s pre-Liverpool press conference has provided the fans with a boost, with confirmation that Christos Tzolis is among those to have returned to training.
- Former players defend Max Dowman over red-card incidentMicah Richards and Alan Shearer have hit back at criticism of Max Dowman, suggesting the Arsenal youngster was lucky not to suffer an injury.
- Thierry Henry gives his thoughts on Eze & MaduekeFormer Gunner Thierry Henry is impressed with how Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke have stepped up to the task of filling in for Arsenal’s injuries.