Arsenal Women will take on Rosenborg BK at Meadow Park on Saturday, September 7th for a place in the second round of Champions League qualifying. Jonas Eidevall’s side are three games away from the Champions League group stage and will be looking to build on their impressive 6-0 victory over Rangers on Wednesday.
The Gunners will be unchanged from the side that thrashed Rangers, with the exception of Beth Mead, who returns to the bench after recovering from a slight groin strain. Caitlin Foord is expected to start after netting four goals in the previous match.
Arsenal fans can follow the action live on Arsenal.com, with coverage beginning at 7.25pm UK time. This includes an exciting commentary duo of Max Jones and former Gunner Gilly Flaherty. The stream is available globally, except for Norway.
Rosenborg’s Confidence
Despite facing a strong opponent, Rosenborg enters the match with confidence after a dramatic victory over Atlético Madrid in the play-off. The Norwegians, considered the underdogs in the tie, ultimately secured their win in a nail-biting penalty shootout. This success has generated a sense of belief within the Rosenborg squad, which Jonas Eidevall acknowledges.
“They beat a really strong opponent and that demands a lot of respect,” Eidevall said in the pre-match press conference. “We saw them as a team be very strong on set-pieces, they were really well-organised and you could see that they have a really good culture within the team. They were handling really adverse situations and moments against Atlético. They are good at focusing on what they can control.
“We are going to play against a good opponent which is how the Champions League should be; it should be tough games, tough challenges. It’s how we want to play in the Champions League because we want to play against the best. We focus on our performance, and if we can do well again, then we have a great chance of progressing.”
Arsenal’s Dominance
While Rosenborg’s success against Atlético has garnered respect, Arsenal Women are known for their own dominance, especially after their impressive performance against Rangers. Eidevall praises his team for their unwavering focus throughout the entire game, ensuring Rangers were never given a chance to settle.
“It was a great start. The players were excellent at being connected and alert from the first kick of the game both on and off the ball,” he explained. “The team maintained that standard throughout the whole game which is sometimes a difficult thing to do in football because you can so easily come into a spell of five minutes where you become a little bit complacent. You then give your opponents a moment to get into the game.
“That was a really impressive part of our performance, I don’t think we gave Rangers any moment in the game and that’s very difficult to do, so the team should be really proud.”
A Battle of Tactics
Beyond their individual strengths, the match promises to be a battle of tactics. Eidevall highlights Rosenborg’s innovative approach, where they employed different strategies throughout the game.
“It was apparent when I watched the game that Rosenborg didn’t have one idea for the whole game,” Eidevall explained. “They had lots of different micro-moments in the game where they tried to periodise their tactics; changing their line of engagement in pressing, changing their tactics from how they were playing out from goal kicks for example. That’s a good way of changing momentum. As a team, you felt that they did well with a clear and structured plan of how to periodise the game.
“I’d expect nothing less in the game tomorrow. They will probably have just as good or an even better plan. They will be filled with belief after it worked last time, so we will need to be at our very best.”
Arsenal’s Lineup
Arsenal’s starting lineup for the game is as follows:
- Zinsberger
- McCabe
- Codina
- Williamson
- Fox
- Cooney-Cross
- Little
- Caldentey
- Maanum
- Foord
- Russo
A Match to Watch
With a strong lineup and a relentless determination, Arsenal Women are set for a captivating match against Rosenborg BK. The winner will advance to the second round of qualifying, bringing them one step closer to the coveted Champions League group stage. This match is a must-watch for any Arsenal fan and those interested in Women’s football, with a chance to witness the team’s quest for European glory unfold.
Looking Ahead
Beyond this match, the team is determined to make their mark on the European stage. The second round of qualifying will present a new challenge, with the winners advancing to the group stage. However, Arsenal Women are ready to rise to the occasion, fueled by their dedication to excellence and a strong sense of unity.
