Alessia Russo rounded off a fine win for Arsenal against Valerenga in the Women’s Champions League in the team’s first game since Jonas Eidevall resigned.
Pressure had been growing on Eidevall during a painful three-game winless run under the Swedish manager, with fans booing and holding up P45 signs – calling for his sacking – following their 2-1 defeat by Chelsea on Sunday.
Eidevall stepped down on Tuesday, with assistant coach Renee Slegers put in interim charge.
“It’s been a couple of hectic days,” said Slegers after Wednesday’s game.
“I’ve always respected Jonas a lot and enjoyed working with him. I was sad and many others as well. It’s been about managing emotions and trying to stay to the task.”
Arsenal looked reinvigorated under Slegers whose stint got off to a bright start when Emily Fox tapped home inside two minutes at Emirates Stadium.
The upturn in fortunes continued, with Caitlin Foord lashing the ball into the roof of the net from close range after Beth Mead’s initial effort was saved.
Despite countless attacks forward, there were the same signs of carelessness in defence that have plagued Arsenal of late, and the Norwegian visitors clawed a goal back before the break through Olaug Tvedten as Laia Codina was caught out when trying to play out from the back.
However, summer signing Mariona Caldentey put the Gunners out of reach in the 85th minute with a powerful strike after being picked out with a clever pass from Stina Blackstenius.
Then England forward Russo, a bright spark throughout, completed victory when she slotted through the legs of Valerenga keeper Tove Enblom in stoppage time.
“I’m happy for them,” Slegers said of the Arsenal players. “They also got together yesterday and felt that they need to step up, and I think that’s what you see today on the pitch.
“So all credit to the team. Obviously you don’t want this drastic thing to happen for them to get into this self-reflection moment, but I think it was good they did it and now it’s about maintaining that.”
Elsewhere in Group C, Bayern Munich continued their 100% start with a 2-0 victory over Juventus.
Arsenal, buoyed by with their return to winning ways, will make the short journey to West Ham on Sunday in the Women’s Super League, with the Hammers sitting 11th in the table and without a win this season.
