Arsenal’s attacking play takes shape ahead of the new season

Arsenal’s recent US tour has provided valuable insights into the squad’s current state as they gear up for the new season.

Despite a narrow defeat to Chelsea, there were several positive takeaways, including the emergence of young talents and promising tactical changes.

However, ongoing injury issues and potential gaps in the squad highlight areas that still need attention.

With Eidevall hinting at possible new arrivals and key players nearing full fitness, this pre-season campaign offers much to discuss ahead of the new WSL season.

Arsenal were defeated by Chelsea 1-0 with Sandy Baltimore scoring from a situation were Arsenal were not alert defensively and the ball rebounded like a pinball between defenders.

It was a very interesting game against a Chelsea side who are still learning to play the Bompastor way and had changed their whole team by the 63rd minute.

Arsenal have clearly started fine-tuning the team with multiple senior players going the full ninety minutes. The starting XI was Zinsberger; Wienroither, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Cooney-Cross; Kühl, Kafaji, Foord; Russo.

The substitutes used were: Reid, Maanum, Codina, Caldentey, Wälti, and Lia. Unused were Williams, Agyemang, Harbert, Earl, and Fox.

Mead was named in the starting XI, but was withdrawn before the game. Kühl took her place on the right wing and did ok out of position.

Wubben-Moy also missed out through injury.

I think one of the key points we can take from the US tour is how good Kafaji and Caldentey will be for our attacking schemes. They are bringing some qualities that were not there in previous seasons.

Another point is Katie Reid is ready to compete at centre-back as she is improving quickly and I don’t think she will be sent on loan, unlike other youngsters. Hopefully the club will sign her with a professional contract really soon.

Vivienne Lia was also used as a sub and her versatility could be an asset as a sub as she can play right and left back as well as right and left winger. If she can also get tied down to a professional contract that would be a good idea.

In the post-game press conference, Jonas Eidevall hinted at possible arrivals but no departures. I think it is quite obvious that a second right-winger is the main need right now, because having Kühl as the rotation option for Mead is surprising.

Saying that, this is the second friendly where Jonas Eidevall has started her there after the Australia All Stars game.

So let’s have a look at the game time for the players involved in the US tour (maximum 180 minutes):

• Kim Little and Alessia Russo 168 minutes. Two key players for the team for the upcoming season.

• Kathrine Kühl 164 minutes. Her versatility saw her start both games in two different positions.

• Manuela Zinsberger 152 minutes. Two starts in two games subbed once through injury.

• Katie McCabe 135 minutes. Started both games. A key player as always.

• Laura Wienroither 135 minutes. She played the whole game against Chelsea and it was her first full ninety for the team since her return from her ACL injury.

• Katie Reid 120 minutes. Played the full game against Spirit and 30 minutes against Chelsea where she did well against Ramirez.

• Leah Williamson 105 minutes. Started both games, another key player for the team.

• Rosa Kafaji 105 minutes. Her integration on the pitch has been seamless and we have already seen what she will bring to the team in terms of creativity and speed of play.

• Kyra Cooney-Cross 89 minutes. Played in both games, started against Chelsea in her usual double pivot role.

• Vivienne Lia 82 minutes. The youngster did well at right back against Spirit and then on the right wing against Chelsea.

• Freya Godfrey 78 minutes. Started the game against Spirit. The big question is should she go on loan or stay to be Beth Mead’s understudy.

• Frida Maanum 75 minutes. Started against Spirit, came on as a sub against Chelsea, will have to compete with Kafaji for the second striker spot this season.

• Catley 72 minutes. Started against Chelsea as she was coming back from the Olympics, as always will compete with McCabe for the left-back position. Could also be deployed at centre-back, although with Reid improving fast, she might not be needed there.

• Foord 72 minutes started against Chelsea as she was coming back from the Olympics, will compete with Caldentey and Hurtig for the left winger position this season.

• Wubben-Moy 45 minutes. Came on as a sub against Spirit and was a bit rusty, got injured and missed the Chelsea game.

• Mead 45 minutes started against Spirit, got 45 minutes and was injured in the warm-up against Chelsea. Another key player this season.

• Agyemang 45 minutes came on as a sub against Spirit. Will she stay this season to compete for a spot against Russo and Blackstenius or will she go on loan to further her development.

• Laia Codina 30 minutes. Came on as sub against Chelsea following her Olympics return, should be the third choice centre-back at the start of the season.

• Mariona Caldentey 30 minutes. Made her Arsenal debut on the left wing and showed in that short time all she will bring to the club’s attack.

• Naomi Williams 28 minutes. Came on as a sub against Spirit, expected to be third choice goalkeeper this season.

• Lia Wälti 13 minutes. Came on as sub against Chelsea. Returning from injury and building up her fitness.

• Laila Harbert and Maddie Earl 12 minutes. The two youngsters came on as subs against Spirit and you would expect them to stay with the U-21 team this season or be loaned in the Championship/ WNL to further their development.

• Emily Fox the US Olympic winner did not set foot on the pitch following her late return from her post-Olympics break.

• Daphne van Domselaar, Lina Hurtig, Stina Blackstenius are returning from injury and building up their fitness.

• Victoria Pelova has an ACL injury and is out for a while.

• Amanda Ilestedt did not make the trip as she is pregnant, Teyah Goldie has been sent on loan to London City Lionesses.

Arsenal have a strong squad and if any new player is coming, it would bring the squad up to 25 professional players, which is the WSL limit.

Then, we would go over the limit should Reid or Lia sign a professional deal.

Football-wise, we saw some promising build-up play and there is a clear sign that improvement from last year against low blocks is going to happen thanks to the new attacking signings.