Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall gives blunt reply over Gareth Taylor apology

10 November 2023 , 12:54

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Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall said he has yet to receive an apology from Gareth Taylor after the Manchester City boss accused him of "bullying" the fourth official during the Gunner's 2-1 victory between the sides last weekend.

City boss Gareth Taylor levied the accusations following his side's first Women's Super League defeat of the season during which Taylor, Eidevall and fourth official Melissa Burgin shared heated exchanges on the touchline.

Earlier this week, Eidevall said he would enjoy an apology from his opposite number, though he was not setting much store by it. And when asked whether he had received an apology yet, Eidevall replied bluntly "No," later adding, "It doesn’t take a lot of my thought process at the moment, so no [I’m not surprised]."

Other managers around the league, including Leicester City boss Willie Kirk, whom Eidevall will face on Sunday, have voiced their concerns over the need for more respect to be afforded match officials.

When pressed on whether he agreed with this responsibility and if his behaviour on the touchline reflected so, Eidevall said: “Absolutely. I do that." Eidevall also cast doubt over the recent spike in prize money afforded the Women's FA Cup and the lack of a conscientious plan being implemented as the game continues to grow.

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“It is good. Is it good enough? I think you have to Zoom out and if you Zoom out, and you see the increase in the NWSL’s broadcast deal announced yesterday, the growth of the game is not linear at the moment. It’s exponential.

"I think that’s where decision makers, deal makers, they need to be very aware of that. You still have a very big gap between the men’s FA Cup prize money and the women’s FA Cup prize money.

"There is also a symbolic factor for it with the FA who is responsible for the growth and development of both men’s and women’s football in the country. If they start to have a big difference on it then that affects how people see and value the two different competitions as well. It’s good with an increase but I’m not sure it’s good enough."

Arsenal Women's Head Coach Jonas Eidevall during a training session at London Colney (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

He added: "Where do we see this going in the next five years? Or is this something that’s going to be made on a year-by-year basis, and what is that going to be based on? And what investments are going to be made in the women’s FA Cup in order to raise the level of the competition to the point where it can generate more revenue as well."

Arsenal travel to Leicester on Sunday as they continue their WSL campaign. The Foxes are bidding to put an end to a three-match winless run after a positive start to the campaign, while the Gunners, now relishing a three-match winning streak, are looking to close the gap to league leaders Chelsea who sit three points clear of Eidevall’s side.

Despite the heady competition forming in the league's upper echelons, the 40-year-old dismissed suggestions of pressure so early in the season. "Teams have played very uneven opposition so lets play more games and let the league table settle a little more before we jump to conclusions," he said. "The data set it too small."

Arsenal kick-off against Leicester at 6:45pm on Sunday.

Megan Feringa