It’s Arsenal’s collapse and the team’s lucky progression to the Champions League quarter-finals despite a 4-1 loss to Hoffenheim, based on their face-to-face record with the German squad. , which will dominate the discussions. Still, it is perhaps the rise of the Bundesliga’s third team, in their debut season in Europe, that deserves attention on their exit. With two teenagers on the scoresheet against the only English team to win the European Cup, and an average age of 23, Hoffenheim punished Arsenal, inflicting a third defeat in four games on the leaders of the Super League. feminine.

Hoffenheim head coach Gabor Gallai had spoken of the need for an early goal against Arsenal in order to “keep the hopes of achieving something spectacular” alive. A five-goal margin was needed to advance to the knockout stage ahead of Arsenal, with the teams tied on points and the visiting team having the head-to-head advantage after beating Hoffenheim 4-0 at Meadow Park .

It wasn’t as early as Gallai would have liked, in the 22nd minute, but the opening goal for 19-year-old German striker Jule Brand, who scored and provided an assist on his international debut in April, instilled confidence in the home team after a quiet start.

Despite all of Arsenal’s initial dominance, with two-thirds of possession they had little to show as Brand squeezed the ball between keeper Lydia Williams and the near post after a heartbreaking break from Gia Corley.

To concede bruises to any team, but in the context of Arsenal’s 10 days, it could have broken the skin, shaken the confidence of the tired Gunners. Defeats to Chelsea in the 2021 FA Cup final and a 4-0 home humiliation against Barcelona were somewhat appeased by a 4-0 victory over Leicester City, who occupy the bottom of the women’s Super League, and by Chelsea losing points against Reading on Sunday.

Beth Mead had provided the brightest moments for Arsenal, dancing into the box and forcing a weak Martina Tufekovic save early on and playing a perfect cross to a Vivianne Miedema who was only waiting for the Netherlands international to put in her half volley. close to the remote station. It would be Mead who forced the Leveler to undo the silver lining that had spread through Dietmar-Hopp Stadium after Brand’s goal, re-energizing the visiting team.

The English striker finished a run in the box from the right, hitting goals. Tufekovic knocked down the powerful strike and defender Laura Wienroither and Mana Iwabuchi – who spent two years at Hoffenheim starting in 2012, both slipped together and Wienroither pushed the ball past the Japan international and into his own net.

Since a hamstring injury ruled out influential center-back Leah Williamson, Arsenal’s defense have struggled to cope. The highly rated Lotte Wubben-Moy was torn apart by Chelsea and full-back Steph Catley was mediocre against Barcelona in place of Wubben-Moy alongside Jen Beattie, who watched the pace after a blow received in international service.

After the break and with nothing to lose, Hoffenheim put pressure on Arsenal’s defense. Their reward was three goals in five minutes to well and truly burst the confidence of the visitors. Sarai Linder’s cross was first pushed high into the net by Chantal Hagel’s toe in the middle, then Hagel struck again, running unimpeded from the edge of the center circle before passing Williams.

19-year-old Corley reached the score of 4-1 moments later, going undisputed from a pretty Brand cross.

Arsenal hung on but they were always sloppy in possession and gave Hoffenheim the chance to run against them time and time again. Manager Jonas Eidevall will desperately seek to bring his team to the winter break. However, a tricky league test against Brighton’s surprise package awaits them on Sunday before they can sit down and assess the split.