The Gunners defeated Zürich 3-1 and now have a two point lead over Juventus and a huge five point gap over holders Lyon.

Jonas Eidevall made seven change from the team that defeated Liverpool on Sunday giving Nobbs, Iwabuchi, Beattie and Marckese their first start this season.

This is the first time since he took over the team at the start of the previous season that he made so many changes. Rotation was previously not part of his vocabulary.

The starting XI was Marckese; Maritz, Wubben-Moy, Beattie, Catley; Little, Nobbs, Iwabuchi; Mead, Miedema, Hurtig

It has to be said Zürich is the weakest team in the group, so it was the perfect occasion to give a game to those players who were starved of minutes so far this season. We are three full months into it and it was only the first start for three players and the second one for two other players (Maritz and Hurtig).

Full credit to those five players for delivering a top performance despite being rusty for many of them. This will probably ease their frustration as they have been patiently waiting for their chance to shine.

The same logic can be applied to Frida Maanum, who came in the team for the Lyon away game with a crucial tactical role, that she filled up perfectly. She kept her place at Liverpool keeping Viviane Miedema out of the team and did well again.

The Dutch striker was returned to the starting line-up against Zürich in the number 9 role, rather than her preferred playmaker position. It is quite clear she is not firing on all cylinders this season, but it is no surprise considering, she got Covid during the Euros and seemed to have struggled fitness wise so far.

Arsenal are currently top of the League and top of their Champions League group having their preferred centre-back pairing out of action for many weeks. The team is in good form and resilient. Goals can come from many players and the defensive balance has been stable enough despite all the injury problem.

Up next is West-Ham at home on Sunday evening live on Sky Sports. That 6.45pm kick-off is not fans friendly,but the TV companies pay good money so they pick and choose regularly Arsenal and Chelsea in the Sunday evening slot.