Women's Super League: Arsenal miss out on WSL title
- Published
Arsenal beat West Ham but miss out on WSL title
Jonas Eidevall says he feels "empty" after his Arsenal side missed out on the Women's Super League title despite beating West Ham on the final day.
Chelsea's 4-2 win against Manchester United saw them crowned champions, finishing a point above the Gunners.
"It feels very empty right now," the Arsenal head coach told BBC Two.
"We have played at a really good level, and when you take 55 points, you know you can win the league."
Goals from Stina Blackstenius and Steph Catley secured the Gunners' last-day win, but the destiny of the title was out of their hands.
Meanwhile, defeat ensured a sixth-placed finish for West Ham, who announced later that Paul Konchesky had agreed a two-year deal to replace Olli Harder as manager.
Arsenal had some cause for optimism at half-time with Chelsea trailing in their game, but their rivals' second-half comeback quashed their hopes.
Not only were Arsenal only a point away from the top spot - with a better goal difference - they also only lost a single game all season.
Arsenal finished the season a point behind Chelsea
"One part of me is really proud of what we achieved, to take 55 points and really challenge for the title," Eidevall added.
"I mean, we were pretty close to being unbeaten for the whole season.
"And another part just feels empty that we didn't get to lift the trophy for all that hard work. I just think the players would have deserved that so much.
"But that is the thing in life - sometimes you need to work harder for things, and this is a test for us."
After failing to break the deadlock in the first half, Arsenal looked far more potent after the break.
Substitute Blackstenius opened the scoring with her first touch, slotting past Mackenzie Arnold from the edge of the box.
Catley followed up six minutes later, finishing clinically at the near post to seal the three points.
Playing in what could be her final game for the club with her contract expiring this summer, Vivianne Miedema left to an ovation from the entire ground.
The WSL's record goalscorer was lively throughout, claiming the assist for the opener from the number 10 role behind Caitlin Foord in attack.
Results across season see Arsenal fall short
Eidevall's side had to work hard to see off West Ham, but their efforts were ultimately in vain.
Their dominance was clear to see throughout as they controlled proceedings, enjoying 64% of possession.
They were continually able to break down the Irons and Beth Mead on the right flank caused continual problems for the hosts' defence.
Mead has been a key part of the team this year and came close to finishing her campaign with a goal when she smashed an effort against the bar soon after Blackstenius' opener.
Mead proved difficult for West Ham to handle
West Ham meanwhile barely had a look-in and did not manage a shot on target throughout the match - their best attempt seeing Gilly Flaherty heading against the bar in a rare attack.
While Chelsea's final-day win dealt the hammer blow to Arsenal, games earlier in the season were ultimately Arsenal's undoing.
Their 2-0 loss away to relegated Birmingham City back in January, their only defeat of the entire league campaign, will hurt the most.
As it was, Arsenal instead found themselves relying on a huge favour from Manchester United on the final day - and it was not to be.