Arsenal player ratings vs Koge: 5-1 Champions League win

Arsenal grabbed three crucial away points against Koge on Wednesday night in their third Champions League group stage match of the season, running out 5-1 winners courtesy of goals from Steph Catley, Nikita Parris, Caitlin Foord, Anna Patten and Jordan Nobbs.

Jonas Eidevall opted to make wholesale changes from the side that romped to a 4-0 WSL win over West Ham last time out, with only Leah Williamson keeping her place in the back five.

Elsewhere the other three players to keep their spots were Frida Maanum, Nikita Parris and Caitlin Foord. The GOAT returned to the side and led the line up top.

Koge set up in a clear 5-4-1 system aiming to soak up the waves of Arsenal pressure and break whenever the opportunity arose. They found little joy in doing so and eventually the visitors’ dominance told as Nikita Parris was cynically fouled in the box.

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Arsenal player ratings vs Koge as Catley, Parris, Foord, Patten & Nobbs secure three Champions League group stage points

Parris stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but saw her fierce drive superbly kept out by Kaylan Marckese.

The American wasn’t to be denied with 27 minutes on the clock though, as Steph Catley’s stunning free-kick was right in the postage stamp and left the keeper flapping at thin air.

After the break Arsenal continued to dominate and Parris doubled the lead when she coolly finished inside the box. Caitlin Foord made it three shortly after with a composed header, as the visitors were in cruise control.

Madalyn Pokorny reduced the deficit for Koge after pouncing on a mistake at the back by Catley, but Arsenal saw the game out with relative comfort and added two more goals as Patten’s strike was added to by a fine effort from Jordan Nobbs.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Lydia Williams (GK) – 6/10 – Had….absolutely nothing to do whatsoever, apart from picking the ball out of the net.

Noelle Maritz (RB) – 5/10 – Was a tough night for the Swiss who lost out on a number of duels both in the final third and running back towards her own box.

Leah Williamson (CB) – 7/10 – Dominant physically, Williamson bossed the game from the back and shut down any attempts Koge made to break out. Played some characteristically threading balls into feet and pinpoint switches, but could have been stronger in the challenge when Pokorny scored.

Simone Boye Sorensen (CB) – 7/10 – Much like Williamson it was all about being well positioned to deal with any threat Koge would try to pose on the counter-attack, all of which was handled comfortably.

Steph Catley (LB) – 7/10 – Added threat down the left flank and linked up with Foord well, but it’s all about the free-kick, isn’t it? What a way to open your Arsenal account.

A sumptuous effort that got up over the wall and nestled into the top corner, it was a thing of beauty, and what Arsenal needed as they were so dominant throughout that first half. Was at fault for the goal, though.

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