Barcelona showed they are not going to give up their European crown easily as they completely dismantled Arsenal to the tune of a 4-1 victory on Tuesday night.
The early stages were completely dominated by Barça, who controlled possession and turned that into plenty of good chances. It was just a matter of time before the hosts scored, and it was the excellent Mariona Caldentey who did exactly that on the half-hour mark as she tapped home from a rebounded shot.
Alexia Putellas made it two just before half-time, finishing off an excellent run from Asisat Oshoala to give the reigning champions an imposing lead at the interval.
The third goal came within minutes of the second half beginning. Oshoala got the goal she deserved as she buried a one-on-one with real composure.
A triple change to their forward line saw Arsenal wrestle some control of the game and after nearly grabbing an equaliser through Caitlin Foord, they did get one from Frida Manuum, who bundled home from a Tobin Heath free kick.
However, to end all hope of a comeback, Lieke Martens grabbed a fourth for the hosts with a glorious chip with seven minutes to go, but Putellas missed the chance to make it five as her stoppage-time penalty was turned away by Manuela Zinsberger.
Sandra Panos (GK) – 6/10 – Her days off won’t be as uneventful as this.
Marta Torrejon (RB) – 8/10 – Some unreal movement down the right. Played plenty of excellent passes to keep her side on top.
Irene Paredes (CB) – 7/10 – A very quiet evening but did everything needed of her. Composed passing and swept up any danger sent her way.
Mapi Leon (CB) – 6/10 – Routine stuff from Mapi. Did nothing special but didn’t need to.
Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (LB) – 6/10 – Did well in attack but felt a little shaky whenever Mead got at her at the back.
Putellas makes it 2-0 to Barcelona before half-time ✌️
English: https://t.co/S5QWFpsuXR
Spanish: https://t.co/w8frjSpY1n pic.twitter.com/Eu8HbDhRce— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 5, 2021
Aitana Bonmati (CM) – 9/10 – Absolutely everywhere. Suffocated Arsenal whenever they got on the ball, and was absolutely relentless with her searching passes.
Patricia Guijarro (CM) – 8/10 – A very intelligent performance at the base of Barcelona’s midfield. Happy to drive forwards, pass the ball or sit deep. Read the situation perfectly.
Alexia Putellas (CM) – 9/10 – There’s a reason she won the UEFA Player of the Year award. On an absolutely different level as she charged forward and sprayed perfect passes across the field.
MARIONA PUTS IT ON A PLATE FOR OSHOALA ?
English: https://t.co/S5QWFpsuXR
Spanish: https://t.co/w8frjSpY1n pic.twitter.com/6HdEGhV0zq— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 5, 2021
Caroline Graham Hansen (RW) – 8/10 – Caused problems just with her mere presence, which terrified Arsenal. Made some glorious runs and her link-up play was scary at times.
Asisat Oshoala (ST) – 9/10 – Some really intelligent runs which saw her create both goals in the first half, and bagged her much-deserved strike after the break.
Mariona Caldentey (LW) – 9/10 – You could always tell she was going to score the opener. Roamed across the entire frontline and could not be marked because of that. Unplayable.
Lieke Martens – 7/10 – Immediately earned some good chances and took her goal with real composure.
Fridolina Rolfo – 6/10 – Mental that she can come on at left-back. Such ridiculous depth in attack.
Bruna Vilamala – N/A – Came on too late to do anything.
Manuela Zinsberger (GK) – 7/10 – Arsenal would have been thumped without Zinsberger. Made some excellent saves to stop this being embarrassing. Great penalty save.
Noelle Maritz (RB) – 3/10 – Couldn’t get anywhere near Caldentey and just looked off the pace throughout.
Leah Williamson (CB) – 5/10 – Generally did well but simply could not keep up with Barcelona’s forwards. Some intelligent moves and passes.
Jennifer Beattie (CB) – 4/10 – Similar to Williamson. Some excellent blocks but really struggled with Barcelona’s high press and quick movement.
Steph Catley (LB) – 3/10 – Overwhelmed by Hansen and Torrejon. Caught out by some superb passing and looked like she was playing against four or five wingers at once.
Lia Walti (CM) – 4/10 – Clearly struggled with Barcelona’s press. Her passing skills were completely off as she misplaced what should have been fairly routine distributions.
Kim Little (CM) – 4/10 – Spent most of her time at right-back trying to help deal with Caldentey, but that left the midfield in disarray.
Frida Manuum (CM) – 5/10 – Dealt with Barcelona’s press better than most and got herself on the scoresheet eventually.
Beth Mead (RW) – 3/10 – Came in narrow in search of the ball but was far too isolated. Made it far too easy for Barcelona’s full-backs.
Vivianne Miedema (ST) – 4/10 – Didn’t do anything wrong but barely had the chance to do anything anyway. Had to stay high to try and get the ball but nobody on her team could get to her.
Katie McCabe (LW) – 3/10 – Spent more time operating as a wing-back. No threat in attack at all.
Maanum taps in a cross from Tobin Heath, is it too late for Arsenal? ?
English: https://t.co/S5QWFpsuXR
Spanish: https://t.co/w8frjSpY1n pic.twitter.com/pjQyr3jdtF— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 5, 2021
Tobin Heath – 7/10 – Looked really dangerous when she came on. Some excellent balls into the box, including for Manuum’s goal.
Nikita Parris – 6/10 – Added some much-needed energy following her introduction.
Caitlin Foord – 6/10 – The quieter of the second string of forwards but still involved in some nice moments.
Jordan Nobbs – 7/10 – Gave some stability to the midfield and stopped the relentless pressure from Barcelona.
Mana Iwabuchi – 6/10 – Didn’t really get much time to do her thing.
