Arsenal women match men with shock FA Cup exit and poor performance
Arsenal women match men with shock FA Cup exit and poor performance Arsenal’s FA Cup exit to Brighton delivered more than a poor result. It raised fresh questions over fatigue, selection and whether the run-in is starting to catch up with a stretched squad. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Arsenal were eliminated from the FA Cup after a deserved 2-0 defeat to Brighton at Meadow Park .
It was one of those days when the whole team failed to perform. You can win games if three or four players are below par, but if almost everyone is underperforming, you will not get far, especially against a well-drilled side like Brighton , who had an excellent goalkeeper in Nnadozie , saving the three good chances Arsenal produced in the game. It became very clear during the match that there was both mental and physical fatigue among the players.
They were not sharp enough, not quick enough. The coaching staff had obviously anticipated the physical issue by rotating six players, and it was the right call. The Chelsea quarter-final second leg was physically and mentally draining.
Players are human, not machines who can perform on demand. She rested a number of players who needed it and also gave starts to those who required minutes, with the exception of Pelova . Considering how the double pivot of Little and Caldentey performed, it was difficult to understand why Pelova did not get on the pitch, given the creativity she can offer, unless she had a knock.
It did not make sense to keep her on the bench. If you are a goal or two down and struggling for creativity, you bring on your playmaker in place of underperforming midfielders. The xG numbers were Arsenal 1.