We saw our winning start to 2024 come to an end at the hands of West Ham United in the Women's Super League.
Despite taking a first-half lead through Alessia Russo, the Hammers pulled off their first-ever WSL victory over us with two quick goals from French duo, Viviane Asseyi and Hawa Cissoko.
What happened
Sunday afternoon marked Leah Williamson's first start since April 2023, as the England captain continues to work up to full fitness post-ACL injury. With Katie McCabe out through suspension, Steph Catley started on the left as the only other change from the team who lined up against Liverpool last weekend.
We flew out of the gate at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, regulating the game’s tempo in the early stages and patiently working the ball around the West Ham area.
Unable to break down the Hammers in open play, we tried our luck through set pieces. Beth Mead whipped in a corner and despite her cross being handled by three separate West Ham defenders in the area, a penalty was not given.
Following her fantastic comeback goal last weekend, Vivianne Miedema also came close to hitting the target in the first half. A lovely team move helped on by Victoria Pelova and Alessia Russo allowed Miedema through on goal, but a last-ditch tackle denied a golden opportunity to take the lead.
Soon after, our Dutch international looked certain to strike again after shrugging off her marker and beating Arnold, but her rocket of a shot was cruelly denied by the crossbar.
Alessia Russo was the difference-maker just before the break, heading home for her fifth WSL goal of the season. As Mackenzie Arnold went up to clear a corner, the ball was flicked onto Russo who converted beautifully from the back post.
With our noses in front, we had a few half-chances to double our lead before heading down the tunnel, and in one such chance, Steph Catley was denied by her Australian teammate between the posts.
Our lead didn't last for long, however, after the Hammers were controversially awarded a penalty early on in the second half. Catley was deemed to have clipped Riko Ueki inside the box and Viviane Asseyi buried the resulting spot kick.
It went from bad to worse for our Gunners just before the hour mark, as Zinsberger punched away a long free-kick but only so far as Hawa Cissoko, who then rifled the ball into the net.
Eidevall turned to the bench for a triple substitution as we looked to change our fortunes with Kyra Cooney-Cross, Stina Blackstenius and Cloe Lacasse entering the fray.
Lacasse's directness had an instant impact, with a piercing run to the byline and a cut back to Russo whose first-time shot couldn't find the target.
Our number 24 continued to cause issues for the West Ham defence, who even resorted to body-blocking the Canadian in the box without a foul being given.
We instigated wave after wave of attacks but were frustrated by the Hammers' low block time and time again.
As the minutes ticked by, our attempts to level the scoreline looked increasingly frantic and aimless. The Hammers stood firm and compact, and any creativity our Gunners did show in front of goal was not enough to salvage a result.
What's next
The loss means we remain third in the WSL table, missing out on the opportunity to draw level with league-leaders Chelsea on points.
Up next is a Conti Cup quarter-final tie against London City Lionesses on Wednesday, February 7.
Team news
Arsenal starting XI: Zinsberger (GK), Fox, Williamson (C) (Ilestedt, 46), Wubben-Moy, Catley, Walti, Pelova (Cooney-Cross, 63), Miedema (Blackstenius, 63), Mead (Lacasse, 63), Foord (Maanum, 78), Russo
Subs: D'Angelo, Williams, Codina, Little
West Ham United starting XI: Arnold (GK), Zadorsky, Tysiak, Cissoko (Cooke, 85), Smith, Ziu (Snerle, 40), Gorry, Hayashi (Bergman-Lundin, 85), Shimizu, Ueki (Ademiluyi, 90), Asseyi
Subs: Walsh (GK), Harries, Mewis, Denton, O'Hanlon
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