UWCL Talking Points: Arsenal Starts Fresh After Eidevall Era with a Win

The second matchday of the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) showcased an impressive total of 38 goals across the eight matches played this week. On Wednesday, Bayern Munich continued their perfect run in Group C with a 2-0 victory over Juventus. Meanwhile, Arsenal rebounded from the departure of coach Jonas Eidevall by securing a 4-1 win against Vålerenga. In Group D, Barcelona made a significant statement with a resounding 9-0 victory against Hammarby, while Manchester City maintained their lead at the top of the group with a close 3-2 win over St. Pölten.

The excitement continued on Thursday as Roma triumphed over Galatasaray with a 6-1 scoreline, positioning themselves joint-top of Group A alongside Lyon, who defeated Wolfsburg 2-0. Chelsea also held on to the lead in Group B with a 3-1 victory over FC Twente, while Real Madrid finally found their footing in the competition with a convincing 4-0 win over Celtic.

Our analysts, Emily Keogh, Sophie Lawson, and Sam Marsden, weighed in on the standout moments from matchday two.

Key Highlights from Matchday Two

Sophie Lawson: Beyond the flurry of penalties—one awarded in each of Thursday's matches—the matchday showcased a notable shift in momentum among teams. Barcelona made a strong comeback, dominating Hammarby after the Swedish side had shown promise by beating St. Pölten in their previous match. Juventus demonstrated improvement in their performance against Bayern Munich but ultimately fell short, unable to capitalize on their chances. FC Twente, who previously impressed against Celtic, struggled against Chelsea, while St. Pölten pushed Manchester City hard, showing resilience despite their earlier defeat.

The unpredictability of the group stage is evident as teams vie for points, leading to some surprising results.

Sam Marsden: Spanish teams had a productive week, especially considering their disappointing starts. Barcelona’s situation has been intriguing; while they’ve posted staggering wins in the league (10-1, 8-1, and 7-1), their slow starts and the loss to Manchester City raised questions about their hunger under new coach Pere Romeu. However, a commanding 9-0 victory against Hammarby suggests they are back on track, though Romeu faces challenges in optimizing his lineup moving forward. With questions surrounding player rotations, particularly for key players like Clàudia Pina and Alexia Putellas, adjustments will be crucial as the season unfolds.

Real Madrid also found their stride in Europe, overcoming Celtic 4-0 after an earlier loss to Chelsea. Under coach Albert Toril, the squad has quality players who, if they can gel, might make them dark horses in the competition.

Emily Keogh: Chelsea’s performance against Twente was less assured than expected. The ease with which they once managed such fixtures now seems more challenging under new coach Sonia Bompastor. St. Pölten's tactical approach against Manchester City was commendable, particularly given City’s prior success over Barcelona. Roma's progress has been impressive; having learned from their previous European campaigns, they appear poised for a strong showing this season.

Navigating Life After Eidevall

Emily Keogh: The split between Eidevall and Arsenal was anticipated. His relationship with the players had soured, and the fans' growing discontent following consecutive defeats to Bayern and Chelsea made his position untenable. Caretaker manager Renée Slegers, who has been with Eidevall for years, is familiar with his tactical approach. Having previously succeeded him at Rosengård, where she won the Swedish title twice, Slegers is well-equipped to navigate the transition. The team was designed around Eidevall’s tactics, so her challenge will be to refine the current issues while the club seeks a permanent replacement.

Arsenal might opt to keep Slegers in charge for the interim, allowing for stability and minimizing disruptions until the end of the group stage in December. Introducing a new manager too soon could lead to further instability.

Sam Marsden: While Eidevall wasn’t ineffective, it was clear that he wasn’t maximizing the potential of a talented squad. The club’s next steps hinge on their choice of coach. With the caliber of players available, such as summer signing Mariona Caldentey from Barcelona, Arsenal should aim to compete for trophies both domestically and in Europe. A swift appointment is essential, especially with crucial upcoming matches against Juventus that could decide their fate in the knockout stages.

Sophie Lawson: The pivotal question is whether Arsenal will seek a managerial style that mirrors Eidevall or pivot to someone with a different approach, akin to Joe Montemurro, the coach he succeeded. The international break offers an opportune pause for the Gunners to regroup and intensify their search for a new manager while also allowing Slegers to strategize for upcoming fixtures. Currently, it seems the players are adapting well, indicating a potential for a positive shift in their focus.

Comparing the German Giants: Bayern vs. Wolfsburg

Sophie Lawson: I lean toward Bayern. Despite Wolfsburg’s unfortunate loss to Roma last week, they struggled again against Lyon, showcasing a lack of creative ideas. While I expect Wolfsburg to secure victories against Galatasaray and Roma in future encounters, their current form is disheartening compared to past performances.

Bayern, meanwhile, continues to deliver steady results without needing to dazzle, already securing six points. Their focus seems squarely on winning, which is what ultimately matters.

Emily Keogh: The results contrast significantly: Bayern has won both matches, while Wolfsburg remains winless. That said, Wolfsburg recently defeated Bayern in league play, hinting that they can rebound. Group A poses a challenge as well, with strong teams like Roma and Lyon making it difficult to predict outcomes.

Wolfsburg, despite their slow start, could turn things around, leveraging their experience against tougher opponents.

Sam Marsden: Bayern’s six points lead over Wolfsburg’s zero clearly suggests they are the favorites. However, Wolfsburg’s recent win over Bayern demonstrates their capability. Upcoming matches against Galatasaray could allow them to catch up, especially if Roma faces tough competition against Lyon. Although the final match against Lyon will be difficult, if the situation allows, both German teams might still reach the quarter-finals.

Disappointments So Far

Sophie Lawson: Disappointments largely depend on expectations. For debutants like Celtic and Galatasaray, losses were anticipated, but teams like Juventus and Arsenal are underwhelming. Arsenal’s recent win was necessary, but they didn’t perform at their best, and defensive errors contributed to the scoreline. Juventus, meanwhile, seems unable to find their rhythm, leading to their current position without points.

Emily Keogh: I initially held high hopes for Juventus based on their qualifying performance and strengthened squad. However, struggles against Bayern and a narrow win over Vålerenga have left me less than impressed. The gap between Europe's elite and those less experienced is vast, making it difficult for newcomers to secure favorable results.

Sam Marsden: Overall, the tournament is progressing as expected in terms of top teams. While Manchester City’s surprising win over Barcelona was notable, it’s Juventus, Arsenal, and Wolfsburg who have notably underperformed relative to their potential. Both Arsenal and Juventus need to step up quickly, especially as the competition intensifies.

In conclusion, matchday two of the UWCL has delivered drama and excitement, with teams recalibrating their strategies and adapting to new challenges. Arsenal's post-Eidevall era has begun, and it will be intriguing to see how they and other teams navigate the road ahead in this prestigious tournament.