Uncover the key moments from Fox and Foord’s 4-1 triumph over Vålerenga, highlighting their tactical prowess and the team’s remarkable synergy on the field.
Introduction:
Arsenal bounce back from disappointment to thrash Vålerenga 4-1 in a UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage match at the Emirates Stadium. Goals from Emily Fox, Caitlin Foord, Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo sealed the Gunners’ first three points of their campaign. With one by Olaug Tvedten for Vålerenga, and Hannah Enblom from the nets managing to put in some spectacular saves, Arsenal firepower was too powerful to stop in this stiff challenge mounted by the Norwegian side.
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Fox’s Early Score and Arsenal Fast Start
The match started with Vålerenga coming out of the blocks attacking from the kick off, but Arsenal soon took the hold and signalled their intent. In a matter of minutes, Arsenal stormed down the left wing through Mariona Caldentey, who chipped in an excellent cutback to reach Alessia Russo inside the box. Russo was unable to manage the loose ball, but it fell kindly to right-back Emily Fox, who slotted it into the far corner with her left foot to give Arsenal the dream start.
Fox, a summer signing from North Carolina Courage, indicated her intentions to attack with her advance play for the forward and generally sent the home crowd into raptures with her goal for Arsenal. Her side’s early lead set the tone for the balance of the game as they continued to push Vålerenga.
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Vålerenga Fight Back but Arsenal Maintain Pressure
Vålerenga did not get unnerved even after going down early. They were spurred by their head coach, Jack Lexerød, as he never asked his team to get out of their rhythm. They made a few attacks too, and they were resilient because Sævik and Tvedten looked to test Arsenal’s defense. But it was Arsenal’s counterattacks, and Russo’s and Mariona’s good combinations, which were too much for Vålerenga at times.
Their best first-half opportunity came after a long spell of possession, but Arsenal’s rearguard, marshaled by Leah Williamson, were solid as a rock, clearing everything that looked like a problem. The visitors almost made it 2-0 through a succession of corners, as Williamson headed just past the post and Enblom denied follow-up shots from Kim Little and Russo.
Foord Doubles Arsenal’s Advantage
Arsenal added the second goal in another break, this time as Mariona ran down the right flank of midfield. She was able to play Beth Mead in on the left with a low strike that forced a save from Enblom, but the Vålerenga keeper only managed to palm the ball back out into the path of Caitlin Foord who hit it into the roof of the net from close range.
Shortly after this, Foord’s goal extended the lead of Arsenal to 2-0 and underlined the team’s attacking prowess. The Australian winger had already been in fine form and now continued troubling Vålerenga’s defense with her pace and creativity.
Vålerenga Pull One Back Through Tvedten
Arsenal were by now in control but still when it seemed that they could go on to record an easy three points, Vålerenga came back with a turn-over somewhere from the Arsenal penalty area. And here came Sævik, who laid a very telling pass to Olaug Tvedten to finish calmly with her left foot into the bottom corner. Tvedten became Vålerenga’s first-ever scorer in group stages of the Champions League and went on to bring the Norwegian side 2-1 back into the fray.
Arsenal Seal Victory in the Second Half
Vålerenga started to find their rhythm again, but Arsenal kept on holding the ball, looking for a way to get back into a two-goal lead. As if Mariona was another constant threat, having marshaled well with Russo, she was almost able to level the scores once more when Enblom thumped her shot at goal.
Eventually Mariona reaped her just deserts. A slick pass from Arsenal saw Russo lay the ball off to the Spanish international, who chipped the ball into the net to make it 3-1. Mariona’s impact since joining from Barcelona in July has been unthinkable, and her goal gave Arsenal much-needed breathing space.
Arsenal were far from over. Vålerenga began to tire, and Russo finally broke through, slotting the ball through Enblom’s legs as Mariona played her in. The 25-year-old striker who had been a constant presence up front capped the evening with a well-deserved goal to make it 4-1.
Arsenal responded well
Just what Arsenal needed after losing to Chelsea on the weekend, the result showed great resilience, a lot of creativity in scoring goals, and also had an element of ruthlessness in front of goal. Vålerenga would probably wonder what might have been with a few more efforts at goal, but that aside, Arsenal just proved such a step forward in their comprehensive display.
Conclusion:
Vålerenga meanwhile, can hold their heads high after spirited performance which saw one player – Enblom emerge as one bright light amidst an otherwise disappointing display from his side, and still in search of their first points in the group stages.