17 December 2023 , 12:11
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Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy lamented her side’s wastefulness in front of goal after a surprise 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur dented their Women’s Super League title hopes.
The Gunners, spurred on by a sold-out away end, failed to find the back of the net in a match defined by missed opportunities and poor decision-making. Despite Jonas Eidevall's side registering 31 shots at goal with eight on target, Spurs keeper Barboa Votikova, called into the starting XI for the first time this WSL season, never had to make a truly show-stopping save.
Arsenal ’s profligacy in the final third was made all the more glaring given Spurs’ crisp execution as they scored the game’s only goal with a magnificent team goal played from back to front and finished off by Martha Thomas.
And Wubben-Moy rued the spurned chances as her side’s seven-game winning streak in the league ground to a halt with a second league loss of the season.
“"[Spurs] had one chance and scored it, but we had about 50. We couldn't get one in the net," the defender said.
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"When you come up to big occasions like this, particularly off the back of such an exhilarating win last weekend against Chelsea, it's just disappointing. It's gonna hurt for a while to be honest, because it's the north London derby."
The 24-year-old added: "Mostly, I'm just disappointed on behalf of the fans because we weren't good enough. We could hear them for the whole game, particularly in the dying minutes when we knew we needed a goal.
"They were there lifting us - if only we could have got the job done for them today because they deserved it."
Lotte Wubben-Moy said Arsenal weren't good enough against Tottenham Hotspur (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Off the back of an emphatic 4-1 evisceration of reigning champions Chelsea, Arsenal's performance in front of goal on Sunday was in blinding contrast. Alessia Russo and Frida Maanum were off form, while Beth Mead was left frustrated. Vivianne Miedema was called up on in the second half, but the Netherlands international made little impact on her 100th WSL match, with her ongoing recovery from her ACL injury still conspicuous.
Arsenal's best chances arrived before Thomas' second-half winner as Caitlin Foord smashed the post and Russo headed wide, but as a need for an equaliser grew, frantic decision-making took over.
Reflecting on the match, Eidevall believed his side was "harshly punished" by the manner of defeat.
"It's fair to say we were not as strong today as against Chelsea," said Eidevall. "But there was only one time they played through the press and we got harshly punished.
"We were unbalanced in our press, that has to be a learning point for us. Other than that we were very much in control. We were just not able to convert."
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Vivianne Miedema of Arsenal and Beth Mead of Arsenal react during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images) (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)Arsenal's latest defeat means Eidevall's side have dropped eight points in 10 matches and gives Chelsea the opportunity to go three points clear of their title rivals as they host strugglers Bristol City on Sunday afternoon.
Last season, the Blues failed to collect maximum points in only three of their 22-game campaign.
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The context will only add to Eidevall's frustration.
Arsenal return to action after the Christmas break with a FA Women's Cup clash against Watford on 14 January.