It is sad that a journey that started with such promise ends in a whimper. That's the reality of Jonas Edewale's Arsenal tenure, bookended by fixtures against Chelsea – his opener a rousing 3-2 win and his final. A stark 2-1 defeat epitomized the problems that would not go away.
The announcement that Edewale resigned as head coach was not surprising, but it was unexpected. Just one win in three Women's Super League games and a 5-2 defeat against Bayern Munich Ahead of the game against Chelsea in the Champions League, there was a feeling the writing was on the wall for the 41-year-old. Victory or defeat and the future of the Edewall was uncertain. However, with two games to go before an international break and a winter break still ahead, it is unlikely that Arsenal pulled the trigger immediately.
Edewale's resignation is said to have come from him. It is believable. Had things continued to go south, he might not have lasted, but he's also a man, a man amidst the constructive and fair criticism that's been thrown his way and aware of the focal point he's become. The atmosphere was increasingly toxic, with “Jonas Out” emblazoned on a wall near the Emirates Stadium and a mock P45 waved in the stands a sign of fan sentiment.
Where did it go wrong and how should we reflect on Sweden's three-year commitment and how we can do it? When Edewal arrived in north London to replace Joe Montemuro, he was met by a team that had struggled to get results against their main rivals. This reduced morale. Montemuro was well-liked, but not considered good enough, and everything was a bit too comfortable. The club was also at the start of a restructuring of facilities and personnel around the team.
Eidevall's first game against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium set the standard as Arsenal proved they can still be a street side against the best sides. Last season they got the most points from games between the top three. They delivered some stunning performances and results. The problem is against teams they need to dominate, they will sit back and give them the possessions they want, but are difficult to break down. They dropped points against West Ham, Liverpool and Tottenham to face a serious title challenge.
Arsenal were spared with players such as Leah Williamson, Vivienne Miedema, Beth Meade and Laura Weinreuther returning to the side at different stages of the season after suffering anterior cruciate ligament injuries. There were similar warnings earlier in the season, when those players contributed to an epic injury crisis. However, they provided. Back-to-back League Cups and an incredible Champions League run to the semi-finals, during which Arsenal overcame a two-goal deficit to draw 2–2 with Wolfsburg. They endured a 5-4 extra-time defeat at a sold-out Emirates Stadium.
I hope that the mood at the end of last season, the belief that consistency will be found, will stay together for a little while longer before the Champions League qualifiers. A slip-up against Paris FC will avoid Arsenal missing out on a place in the group stages in September 2023, and hopefully a less injury-ravaged side will challenge for all four trophies.
The tide began to turn against the manager at the end of last season, however, when it was announced that Maitema would be allowed to leave once his contract expired. The WSL's record goalscorer was allowed to leave at the age of 28 in his prime. Not wanting to leave, Miedema joined title rivals Manchester City to deliver a double whammy. Although the result would not have been Eidevall's, the manager endured the fans' grief at the loss of a hero and key asset.
Relations were strained, and it didn't take long for the form of the season to make matters worse. A 2-2 draw with Manchester City was tolerable, but a 0-0 draw with Everton was not. Eidevall's tactical analysis is a huge attribute, his punditry praised during international matches for ITV, but here's another example of Arsenal failing to break down a team. Despite 69% possession, 21 shots and 45 touches in the opposition box, Arsene failed to score.
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A defensive collapse against Bayern three days later, when Arsenal took the lead before conceding three Bernhard goals in 13 minutes, indicated that the team had not stopped and the rot was sending them backwards. In many respects Chelsea should have had a chance to lift spirits, with the Blues untested against a top-flight side under Sonia Bombaster and a more expansive game helping Arsenal's struggling attack. Instead, the hosts created a stick on their back by conceding twice early. Sonia Bombaster's side were able to sit back and soak up the pressure and frustration knowing Arsenal were the place to fight.
Eidevall spent much of his pre-match media conference talking about focusing on defending set pieces in training, but Arsenal conceded four goals from dead balls in the Bayern and Chelsea games. Whatever worked in training didn't translate to the pitch. The faces of the full-time players mirrored the dressing room he had somewhat lost.
First-team assistant coach Renee Slagers will take over in the interim while the club searches for a replacement. The job is a fascinating one. Are Arsenal in a better place than when Edevel arrived? Undoubtedly, on and off the pitch. However, it is a case of two steps forward and one small back.
