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As the boos echoed through the Emirates, Jonas Eidevall's face said it all. After a midweek humiliation by Bayern Munich, this London derby against Chelsea was a must-win game for his team.
This defeat, although narrow, could mean the end of his reign as Arsenal manager. He plummeted down the tunnel full-time, knowing the scrutiny and pressure will only increase.
It seems that he has lost the fans and, although there was no lack of effort on the part of his team, the discussions that the players had among themselves after Chelsea's two goals in the first half do not reflect well the mood on the field.
“I completely understand that people feel disappointed when we don't win football games and we are also very disappointed,” Eidevall said. “We are really suffering, I am suffering, the players are suffering.”
'They [the fans] We should see how incredibly hard the players work. How much heart they have, how much character they have for the club. I hope that makes the fans believe.”
Chelsea continued their good start to the WSL by beating Arsenal on Saturday.
The result at the Emirates Stadium increased the pressure on Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall
Chelsea star Mayra Ramirez (centre) opened the scoring in style after just four minutes.
Things could have gotten ugly when Chelsea took a 2-0 lead in 16 minutes with goals from Mayra Ramirez and Sandy Baltimore. Arsenal got back into the game when Caitlin Foord scored before the break and probably should have found the equalizer with the chances they created in the second half.
But Chelsea held firm to maintain new boss Sonia Bopastor's 100% record. Her predecessor Emma Hayes, who had numerous clashes with Eidevall during her time as Blues boss, watched from the stands.
“Emma texted me, we have a very good relationship,” Bompastor said. “I am very proud of my players and I am very happy for them.”
After conceding multiple set pieces against Bayern Munich in midweek, Eidevall had said in his pre-match interview that Arsenal had worked to defend them. But it took Chelsea less than four minutes to score from a corner. Arsenal failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to Ramírez, who managed to hook it over his shoulder into the top right corner. The Chelsea striker was creative, but Arsenal's defenders took too long to react.
Things went from bad to worse for the hosts when Baltimore finished off a fantastic Chelsea move to make it 2-0 in the 16th minute. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd passed the ball to Lauren James, who beat two defenders before crossing for the An unmarked Baltimore headed the ball to the back post.
Caitlin Foord almost scored a goal for Arsenal when she shot just over the inside of the area. But Foord managed to score before the break, and the forward produced a sensational solo effort to dribble past Lucy Bronze before sneaking in at the far post.
Sandy Baltimore (left) made it 2-0 in the 16th minute after finishing off a good play by Chelsea.
Caitlin Foord scored a goal for the Gunners, but it was not enough to avoid another defeat.
Eidevall in the photo speaking with his players on the field after the final whistle on Saturday
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Arsenal started the second half with more momentum, but continued to waste in front of goal. Chelsea had a strong penalty appeal when James fell to the ground in the area under a challenge from Lotte Wubben-Moy, but referee Cheryl Foster signaled for play to continue.
Daphne Van Domselaar then had to intervene to prevent Aggie Beever-Jones' header at the near post as Chelsea searched for a third goal.
Wubben-Moy should have leveled Arsenal but could only send a header wide before Stina Blackstenius sent a volley onto the crossbar from close range. Hannah Hampton then parried a volley from Alessia Russo as Arsenal looked for an equaliser. It was not a comfortable finish for Chelsea, but they showed courage to finish the game. Chelsea's packed visiting team celebrated wildly at full-time, in contrast to the doom in the home stands. It remains to be seen whether Eidevall will be back here for Arsenal's Champions League match against Valerenga next week.
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