Arsenal beat Valerenga 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium in the first game of the current Champions League season, just a day after manager Jonas Eideval resigned.
Eideval resigned on Tuesday morning With assistant manager Renee Slagers in charge on a temporary basis, she got off to a dream start in the bullpen when Emily Fox put the Gunners ahead in the second minute with a terrific close-range finish.
Arsenal’s lightning-quick start continued as Alessia Russo then had a goal disallowed for offside, but the pressure on the visitors finally showed in the 29th minute when Caitlin Ford fired home to double the lead.
But the Norwegian side were rewarded just before half-time when Arsenal defender Laia Kodina latched on to the ball, allowing Olaug Tveden to coolly finish into the bottom corner.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Arsenal Women get off to a flying start following Jonas Eideval’s resignation with an impressive 4-1 win over Valerenga in the Champions League.
Karina Saevic missed a great chance just seven minutes into the second half to equalize for Valerenga as Arsenal struggled to create chances until late on when Mariona Caldentei struck to restore a two-goal lead in the 85th minute.
Russo then added a fourth with a low finish for his first goal in nine games.
The win ends Arsenal’s three-match winless run and sees them bounce back from a heavy 5-2 defeat at Bayern Munich to finish second in Group C.
Slagers. I was sad to see Eideval’s exit
“Arsenal” interim head coach Rene Slagers had a winning start
Arsenal: interim chief Renee Slagers Speaking at his post-match press conference about Jonas Eideval’s resignation.
“It was a lot of emotions. I have always respected Jonas and enjoyed working with him. I think he has done a lot of good things for the club for three or four years.
“So I was sad and a lot of other people were, so it’s about managing the emotions and trying to stay on task, what’s ahead of us and what we have to do now to be able to perform tonight.
Emily Fox scores the goal in the second minute
“But it’s been a hectic couple of days.”
About the team’s performance after Eideval’s sudden departure. “I’m happy for them and I’m thankful for them because they also came together yesterday and felt they had to move forward. I think that’s what you see on the pitch today, so all credit to the team.
“Obviously you don’t want this drastic thing to happen for them to go into this moment of self-reflection, but I think it was good that they did it and now it’s about maintaining it.”
“Slegers shows what he can do in the lead”
Sky Sports News’ James Green at the Emirates Stadium.
The post-Jonas Eideval era starts and runs with a win and Arsenal will be hoping to build on this performance ahead of Sunday’s crucial WSL clash at West Ham before the international break.
“Interim boss Rene Slagers will be delighted with the effort his side showed against Valerenga and perhaps showing Ed and Claire Whitley what he can do in this team.
What will happen in the Champions League group stage?
Here are the remaining matches of “Arsenal”.
- Juventus (a) – November 12
- Juventus (h) – November 21
- Valerenga (a) – December 12
- Bayern Munich (h) – December 18
