Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea: Gunners booed off after Women’s Super League defeat at Emirates Stadium as the pressure increases on manager Jonas Eidevall

As the boos rang through the Emirates, Jonas Eidevall’s face said it all. After a midweek humiliation by Bayern Munich, this London derby with Chelsea was a match that should not be lost for his team.

This defeat, although narrow, could spell the end of his reign as Arsenal manager. He dropped through the tunnel at full-time, knowing that the scrutiny and pressure will only increase from here.

It seems he has lost the support of the fans and while there was no lack of effort from his team, the arguments the players had among themselves after Chelsea’s two first-half goals do not reflect well the mood in the camp.

Things could have turned ugly if Chelsea were 2-0 up within sixteen minutes. Arsenal at least got back into the game and probably should have found the equalizer with the chances they created in the second half.

But Chelsea continued to hold on to new boss Sonia Bompastor’s 100 percent record. Her predecessor Emma Hayes, who had numerous clashes with Eidevall during her time as blues boss, watched from the stands. This also applied to Arsenal defender Casey Stoney. Should Eidevall find himself out of a job, Stoney would undoubtedly be a candidate to replace him.

The result at the Emirates Stadium increased the pressure on Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall

Chelsea star Mayra Ramirez (center) opened the scoring in style after just four minutes

After conceding against Bayern Munich in midweek, Eidevall had said in his pre-match interview that Arsenal had specifically worked on their defense, knowing this was a Chelsea strength. It took less than four minutes before they conceded a goal from a corner. Arsenal failed to clear the lines and the ball fell to Mayra Ramirez, who managed to hook it over her shoulder into the top right corner. It was creative from the Chelsea attacker, but the Arsenal defenders reacted far too slowly.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side when Sandy Baltimore finished off a fantastic Chelsea move in the 16th minute to make it 2-0. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd played the ball into Lauren James, who shuffled past two defenders before crossing to an unmarked Baltimore to head in at the back post.

Caitlin Foord almost got a goal back for Arsenal when she fired just over target from the penalty area. But Foord managed to score before half-time, with the striker producing a sensational solo effort to dribble past Lucy Bronze before curling against the far post.

Arsenal started the second half with more momentum but remained wasteful in front of goal. Chelsea had a strong case for a penalty when James went to ground in the penalty area under a challenge from Lotte Wubben-Moy, but referee Cheryl Foster waved on.

Sandy Baltimore (left) made it 2-0 after 16 minutes when she finished off a great move by Chelsea

Caitlin Foord scored a goal back for the Gunners, but it was not enough to prevent another defeat

Eidevall imagined himself talking to his players on the field after the final whistle on Saturday

Daphne Van Domselaar was then called into action to keep out Aggie Beever-Jones’ header at the near post as Chelsea pushed for a third goal.

Wubben-Moy should have brought Arsenal level, but could only fire a free header wide before Stina Blackstenius sent a volley against the crossbar from close range. Hannah Hampton then pushed away Alessia Russo’s volley as Arsenal pushed for an equalizer. It wasn’t a comfortable ending for Chelsea, but they showed courage to finish the match.

Chelsea’s packed away match celebrated wildly full-time, in contrast to the demise in the home stands. Whether Eidevall will be back here for Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Valerenga next week remains to be seen.