Arsenal 4-0 Liverpool Stats: Gunners Dominant as Matthews' Own Goals Help Seal WSL Victory

Arsenal secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Liverpool in the WSL with Mariona Caldentey starring in a dominant display. Explore the key facts and stats in our comprehensive post-match breakdown.

Match Overview

📅 Date: March 22, 2025
📍 Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
👥 Attendance: 35,628
⚽ Final Score: Arsenal 4️⃣-0️⃣ Liverpool

Arsenal returned to winning ways in the WSL with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Liverpool. After a commanding first-half display, the Gunners took the lead through Caitlin Foord in the 28th minute before Liverpool defender Jasmine Matthews scored two unfortunate own goals (29', 69') to compound the visitors' misery. Mariona Caldentey added another in the 44th minute as Arsenal delivered a statement performance following their recent FA Cup defeat to the same opponents.

Phases of Play Analysis

First Half (3-0)

Arsenal established dominance from the opening whistle, controlling 71% of possession and creating sustained pressure on Liverpool's defensive line. The Gunners' patience was rewarded in the 28th minute when Caitlin Foord opened the scoring. Just a minute later, Liverpool's misfortune struck as Jasmine Matthews turned the ball into her own net, doubling Arsenal's advantage. Mariona Caldentey added a third just before halftime, capping off a commanding first-half display where Arsenal registered 13 shots to Liverpool's solitary attempt.

First Half Stats Breakdown:

• Arsenal: 3 shots on target from 13 attempts (23% conversion)

• Liverpool: 0 shots on target from 1 attempt (0% conversion)

• Arsenal passes: 323 (85% accuracy)

• Liverpool passes: 131 (72% accuracy)

• Arsenal created significant danger with 6 corners to Liverpool's 0

Second Half (1-0)

The second half saw Arsenal maintain control but at a slightly reduced intensity, holding 61% possession. Liverpool showed more resilience in the defensive third but continued to struggle to create meaningful opportunities. The visitors' difficult afternoon was compounded in the 69th minute when Jasmine Matthews scored her second own goal of the match. Arsenal managed the game efficiently in the closing stages, maintaining their clean sheet while remaining a threat on the counter-attack.

Second Half Stats Breakdown:

• Arsenal: 2 shots on target from 5 attempts (40% accuracy)

• Liverpool: 0 shots on target from 2 attempts (0% accuracy)

• Arsenal passes: 299 (88% accuracy)

• Liverpool passes: 189 (80% accuracy)

• Arsenal maintained their threat from wide areas and set pieces

Tactical Analysis

Arsenal's Approach

Arsenal deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation under manager Renée Slegers, focusing on controlled possession and positional dominance. Their tactical approach included:

1. Dominant ball retention: 86% pass accuracy with 622 total passes

2. Wide overloads: Utilising Foord and Kelly to create width with 47 touches in the opposition box

3. Patient build-up: Using Williamson and Catley to distribute from deep positions

4. High press: Restricting Liverpool to just 34% possession throughout the match

5. Set-piece threat: Creating multiple opportunities from 9 corners

Liverpool's Approach

Liverpool lined up in a 3-5-2 formation under Amber Whiteley, focusing on defensive resilience and attempting to threaten on the counter. Their tactical plan consisted of:

1. Compact defensive block: 37 clearances and 16 interceptions attempting to disrupt Arsenal's attacking rhythm

2. Direct build-up: 47% accuracy on long balls, trying to bypass Arsenal's press

3. Defensive-minded: Only 5 touches in Arsenal's box throughout the match

4. Tactical adjustments: Making four substitutions to counter Arsenal's dominance

5. Limited attacking threat: Only 3 shots in the entire match, none on target

Individual Performances

Key Performers - Arsenal

Mariona Caldentey (8.5 rating) - Player of the Match

• 1 goal

• 2 chances created

• 60/65 passes completed (92%)

• 14 passes into final third

• 3/3 accurate long balls (100%)

• 2 tackles won (100%)

Caitlin Foord (8.1 rating)

• 1 goal

• 1/3 shots on target (33%)

• 13 touches in opposition box

• 24/42 passes completed (57%)

• 7 duels won (50%)

• 2 tackles won (67%)

Frida Maanum (8.1 rating)

• 7 shots (most in the match)

• 2 big chances missed

• 2 woodwork hits

• 8 touches in opposition box

• 21/29 passes completed (72%)

• 4/5 aerial duels won (80%)

Leah Williamson (7.8 rating)

• 77/83 passes completed (93%)

• 16 passes into final third

• 9/11 accurate long balls (82%)

• 3 interceptions

• 3 duels won (50%)

• 1/3 shots on target (33%)

Key Performers - Liverpool

Marie Therese Höbinger (6.6 rating)

• 9/10 passes completed (90%)

• 1 successful dribble (100%)

• 2 clearances

• 2 recoveries

• 2/3 ground duels won (67%)

Cornelia Kapocs (6.4 rating)

• 1 chance created

• 2/4 successful dribbles (50%)

• 3/3 tackles won (100%)

• 12/20 passes completed (60%)

• 6 duels won (43%)

• 4 recoveries

Sophie Haug (6.4 rating)

• 3 clearances

• 3 headed clearances

• 24/36 passes completed (67%)

• 7/9 aerial duels won (78%)

• 1 interception

Rachael Laws (6.1 rating)

• 3 saves (37.5% save percentage)

• 4 goals conceded

• 26/33 passes completed (79%)

• 10/16 accurate long balls (63%)

• 12 recoveries

• 3 saves inside box

Momentum Analysis

1. Minutes 8-14: Strong Arsenal momentum (+100%) with early pressure leading to sustained dominance

2. Minutes 15-17: Brief Liverpool resistance (-98%) before Arsenal regained control

3. Minutes 18-20: Peak Arsenal dominance (+100%) creating multiple chances

4. Minutes 28-29: Goal-scoring period with two quick goals for Arsenal

5. Minutes 43-44: Another surge (+100%) culminating in Caldentey's goal

6. Minutes 58-60: Renewed Arsenal pressure (+71%) after a more balanced start to the second half

7. Minutes 67-69: Leading to Matthews' second own goal

8. Minutes 84-86: Final Arsenal surge (+79%) to close out the match

Substitution Impact

Arsenal's substitutions:

• Katie McCabe → Jenna Nighswonger (46'): Rating difference -0.81, maintained attacking threat down the left

• Emily Fox → Beth Mead (66'): Rating difference -1.05, added fresh attacking impetus

• Kim Little → Lia Wälti (66'): Rating difference -1.05, preserved midfield stability

• Mariona Caldentey → Victoria Pelova (74'): Rating difference -1.94, managed workload of key performer

• Leah Williamson → Katie Reid (88'): Minimal impact with limited time

Liverpool's substitutions:

• Ceri Holland → Marie Therese Höbinger (63'): Rating difference +0.17, added technical quality in midfield

• Fuka Nagano → Julia Bartel (74'): Rating difference +0.14, fresh legs in central areas

• Olivia Smith → Leanne Kiernan (74'): Rating difference +0.07, struggled to impact the game

• Grace Fisk → Alejandra Bernabe (83'): Minimal impact with limited time

Set Piece Analysis

Set pieces proved an effective weapon in Arsenal's attacking arsenal:

• Corners: Arsenal 9, Liverpool 1

• Arsenal created several high-quality chances from set pieces with Katie McCabe's delivery (3 corners taken) causing particular problems

• Liverpool defended resolutely from set pieces but struggled to generate attacking opportunities of their own

Key Match Insights

1. Shooting Efficiency: Arsenal created 18 shots compared to Liverpool's 3, demonstrating their attacking dominance

2. Possession Control: Arsenal's 66% possession highlighted their control of the tempo and territory

3. Technical Quality Gap: Arsenal's pass accuracy (86% vs 77%) showcased their technical advantage

4. Defensive Organisation: Liverpool's 37 clearances (vs Arsenal's 5) underlined their defensive approach

5. Own Goal Impact: Two own goals from Jasmine Matthews proved decisive in the final scoreline

Conclusion

Arsenal's 4-0 victory over Liverpool was a comprehensive display of their quality and tactical cohesion. Despite Liverpool's determined defensive efforts, Arsenal's superior possession play, technical execution, and attacking threat proved too much for the visitors to handle.

The match highlighted several key factors that influenced the outcome:

1. Arsenal's ability to control the game through possession and create quality chances

2. Liverpool's defensive approach but limited attacking threat

3. The impact of individual quality, particularly from Player of the Match Mariona Caldentey

4. The unfortunate contribution of two own goals from Jasmine Matthews

5. Arsenal's efficiency in front of goal, scoring 4 goals from 5 shots on target

This result keeps Arsenal firmly in 2nd, five points behind leaders Chelsea, while Liverpool must regroup after seeing their winning run come to an emphatic halt.