The statement we needed

In my last piece, I went all in on the idea that Arsenal simply have to succeed in this next block. Maybe it was slightly dramatic (alright, very dramatic), but that’s the tone I’ve come to love when I write, and I think readers seem to love it too. It was all about mindset - no room for error, rebuild the confidence, fix it or fall behind. 

We have the depth that can deliver, I said. And I meant it. Because if Arsenal want to improve, it’s the finest margins that make the difference between a win and a loss. We have to play to the system and to the strengths of the individuals within it. This block wasn’t just important - it was the test of what Renée Slegers’ Arsenal are made of.

As thousands of travelling Gooners headed up for yet another 12pm kick-off, this time in Leicester, I wasn’t there in person, but I did tune in as Arsenal produced a 4–1 victory that felt like a real statement. I’m not saying Slegers and her staff sat down and read my piece (though wouldn’t that be nice?), but when you write about your team with that kind of passion, and then they go and deliver exactly what you were talking about, you can’t help but feel a little smug.

Rotation without weakness

Leah Williamson was still unavailable and Manu Zinsberger, after rupturing her ACL, remained sidelined - the only two injuries that Slegers initially pointed out in her press conference. And then we got to the line-up being announced. Lotte Wubben-Moy was unavailable as she builds back match fitness after withdrawing from England duty with illness. 

Olivia Smith still nursing that bruised hip she picked up during the international break. Kyra Cooney-Cross was unwell and couldn’t feature, and Frida Maanum had picked up a knock while away with Norway. It was a line-up none of us could’ve predicted, and honestly, one I wasn’t sure about - but it turned out to be exactly what Arsenal had been craving.

It was no surprise that Daphne van Domselaar started in goal - calm, dependable, Arsenal’s number one. The back line had that mix of experience and rotation: Katie McCabe returned at left-back, Steph Catley kept her place despite her international minutes, Laia Codina made her first start of the season, and Taylor Hinds filled in at right-back, while Emily Fox only made the bench. 

The midfield three of Mariona Caldentey, Kim Little, and Alessia Russo (yes, in her unconventional and not-usually-loved number 10 role) worked brilliantly, giving Arsenal strength, hold-up play, and the ability to unlock Leicester’s midfield. Up front, Stina Blackstenius led the line, with Caitlin Foord and Beth Mead out wide. On the bench, despite all the absences, there was still plenty of quality - Fox, Jenna Nighswonger, Chloe Kelly, Victoria Pelova and Katie Reid. Arsenal could rotate and still look composed.

Momentum in motion

My dodgy Wi-Fi couldn’t quite handle the stream at first, and I missed the opening few minutes, but before I could even refresh, my phone lit up with a tweet: Arsenal 1-0 up. Russo in the 7th minute, after a deft touch from Stina Blackstenius. That early goal set the tone. Leicester then gifted an own goal from a low-driven cross to make it 2–0, and soon after, Blackstenius slotted home expertly past the keeper for 3–0 at half-time. Arsenal were in total control.

The second half wasn’t quite as sharp, but they didn’t need to be. The job was done. Slegers used her bench well - Nighswonger, Kelly, Fox, Pelova, and Reid all got minutes, and the squad looked comfortable. Leicester managed a goal after catching our centre-backs out with a quick turn of pace, but before I could even react to that notification, my phone buzzed again: Blackstenius 4–1. A powerful finish, a statement of confidence, and a player-of-the-match performance.

What stood out most, something I touched on in my last piece, was how Slegers looked to play to her players’ strengths. Foord driving forward on that left-hand side again, full-backs getting involved in build-up, Mead drifting centrally where she’s dangerous, and Caldentey winning the ball back deeper - it all clicked. 

Russo in the 10 role actually worked, combining her physicality and hold-up play with distribution that broke Leicester apart. Caldentey was constantly looking to slide Blackstenius through, and it paid off time and again. Codina and Hinds impressed, both making their cases for more minutes. Hinds especially - her form for England has carried straight into her club performances. The pace, the fluidity, the joy in Arsenal’s football - it was everything we’d been crying out for.

Confidence, carefully

From the dramatic tone of my last piece, I’ve been reminded more than once to stay realistic, and I get that. I’m not saying Arsenal have suddenly fixed everything with a single win at Leicester City, but I do think this showed a mindset shift. A collective belief that if they can get it right against Leicester, they can certainly go into the Chelsea game with confidence. 

There are still moments of sloppiness, especially when playing out from the back, and against a side like Chelsea, you’ll get punished for that. Russo at 10 over a creative midfielder like Pelova might not work in every game - and against Chelsea’s pressing midfield, I’m not convinced it will. But for this match, it worked perfectly.

This game gives Arsenal a huge confidence boost heading into Chelsea next weekend. Lose that one, and suddenly we’re eight points behind; win it, and the momentum could be enormous. The result came at the perfect time, giving Arsenal something to build from as they head into the toughest fixtures of the season so far. They’ve shown they can rotate effectively, trust their system, and play to their strengths, and if they carry this into the next block, including Bayern and Real Madrid, they can make a real statement.

Next stop: Chelsea

Of course, look at it one way and it’s a 4–1 result Arsenal should absolutely be getting against a Leicester side low on confidence. Arsenal should be winning this comfortably. But in the bigger picture, this was exactly what Arsenal needed heading into this next block. It’s a chance to show they can bounce back, build momentum, and pressure Chelsea.

If you want to hear more detailed analysis of the Leicester game and our thoughts heading into Chelsea, make sure to listen to the Gooner Fanzine Arsenal Women Podcast podcast with myself, Izzy and Freddie - it’s always full of insight, a bit of chaos, and plenty of passion. 

This next game is massive, maybe the biggest of the season so far. I’ll be there, watching on from the stands, but for now, this was exactly what Arsenal needed. The start of what I hope will be a defining block.