Arsenal’s female head coach Jonas Eidevall aims for the Champions League honor with the Gunners and insists that his team is good enough to “have a chance against any team in the world”.
Arsenal return to the Champions League this season after former boss Joe Montemurro, now at Juventus, oversaw an exceptional form run in the later stages of the campaign to take WSL’s third and final European place in 2021/22.
The Gunners are just starting their second Champions League season since 2014 this week with a first qualifying round against Kazakhstan’s Okzhetpes and the new boss is aiming high.
“I think that is what attracts people to the club in a way, to compete for the biggest trophy that exists at the top level. That is one of the reasons why I came to Arsenal: that I want to see if we can win the Champions League with this club, says Eidevall from The Guardian.
The Swede, who took Rosengard to the quarterfinals in last season’s competition, is well aware of the tough competition. On paper, Arsenal are perhaps only the third best team in England, but Eidevall does not doubt the quality of the squad he has inherited.
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“No one would say we have no chance against any opponent in the Champions League,” he said.
“It will not be easy, but we will have a chance against any team in the world and we will do our best to take that chance in a given match.”
Next stop Moscow and @UWCL qualifiers. COYG! pic.twitter.com/QxJswB6rWq
– Jonas Eidevall (@eidevall) 16 August 2021
Aside from being more lucrative for its competing clubs than ever before, the biggest thing about the Champions League this season is the refurbishment of the format. Where it used to be a straight knockout tournament from start to finish, a group game has now been adopted, which more closely reflects the format that has long been seen in the men’s edition.
Eidevall called it a “very exciting time” for the Champions League and former Chelsea and Juventus striker Eniola Aluko explained for 90 minutes during an exclusive interview in May exactly why it is important.
“The group game is an incredible step forward,” Aluko explained. “I remember that during my first year at Juventus I asked for it then because it is so difficult. Owners invest in building teams to be ready for the Champions League and you’re out before you even get in.
“You want at least a little more experience in the Champions League to be ready. I think the group stage will be good for the game and for teams to gain more experience in the Champions League.
“You will have at least six games to know what it takes before you are knocked out rather than just a direct knockout. [In the old format] it’s like being in a boxing match and getting knocked out before you even put on the gloves. I think that is very important. ”
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