Arsenal Women: What next for Gunners after manager Jonas Eidevall stands down?

Arsenal’s loyalty in Eidevall eventually backfired.

Despite failing to progress from the qualifying rounds of the Women’s Champions League last season, they handed him a new three-year deal in October 2023.

That caused controversy and a failure to challenge for the WSL title and the FA Cup afterwards did not help the 41-year-old’s case.

It was compounded by Arsenal’s decision not to offer record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema a contract extension in the summer after an apparent falling out with Eidevall – and she has thrived following her free transfer to rivals Manchester City.

Inconsistent results and a tendency to start the season slowly has been harmful so Arsenal and Eidevall made it clear that needed to change in August.

They went to the United States for pre-season to get the players ready for Women’s Champions League qualifying and they progressed, though not convincingly.

Poor results against Everton and Bayern Munich followed, as well as a draw with current WSL leaders City and defeat by Chelsea at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal had backed Eidevall in the transfer market, recruiting Sweden striker Rosa Kafaji among others, but he has overlooked her so far this season.

Discontent had been growing among the fanbase and last weekend’s 2-1 defeat by Chelsea was a tipping point. While Arsenal were not planning any immediate action, Eidevall felt he could no longer take the team forward and came to a quick decision.