Arsenal Women began their Champions League campaign with a resounding 4-0 win away at Fiorentina in their round of 32 first leg. The tie is almost certainly beyond the Italians now as Joe Montemurro and his team look ahead to a tricky away game at Manchester United on Monday evening. Tim Stillman takes a lot at the takeaways from Arsenal’s Italian Job…

Arsenal lined up with a back three and a half…

Joe Montemurro is always good for a tactical tweak and he didn’t disappoint in Florence. Upon seeing the starting line-up, the assumption was that the Gunners would start with a back four of Leonie Maier, Leah Williamson, Jen Beattie and Katie McCabe. However, it was quickly clear that Leah Williamson was stationed around 10-15 yards ahead of the defence.

Leah started in midfield against West Ham in the continued absence of Lia Walti, where her passing was neat and forward thinking. On this occasion, she was played in a sort of defender / midfield hybrid position. She rarely strayed forward from the centre circle, but was also rarely on the same defensive line as Jen Beattie and the full-backs.

Leah sat deep and allowed Jill Roord, Danielle van de Donk and Kim Little to play further forward, while guarding against the counter attack, which Fiorentina tried to enact with long balls. Leah sat to create a passing lane to the midfield but also to buttress the defence, with Jen Beattie playing as a defensive mop. It was a brave strategy to have Maier and McCabe essentially in a back three. Arsenal anticipated that Fiorentina would sit deep and look to counter through the middle when they did have the ball.

The link-up between Kim Little and Vivianne Miedema remains strong…

Miedema scores when she wants. She received the ball inside the area and faked to shoot, before finding the bottom left corner as she fell to the floor. What a player ?? Fiorentina 0-1 Arsenal pic.twitter.com/sj5OO3wk2L — Women's Football News (@WFRumour) September 12, 2019

Prior to having her leg broken last October, Kim Little played in an advanced role for Arsenal, where her understanding with Vivianne Miedema was very strong. The two players have a natural understanding and like to play off one another. With Jill Roord, Danielle van de Donk and Jordan Nobbs available, there is quite the competition for the number 10 spot.

??? This is superb from Kim Little and @ArsenalWFC… The hosts lead Liverpool 4-0 in the second half!#FAWSL pic.twitter.com/JSH3ThStJn — Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) September 9, 2018

Little’s passing range means she is often deployed in a deep lying playmaker role, but I prefer her higher up the pitch where she can make those connections with Miedema. Kim set up Viv’s first goal and the Dutch striker returned the favour for the second. Little is a world class player and her penalty record (she’s only missed one in an Arsenal shirt) shows how meticulous her finishing is too.

Beautiful goal from Kim Little. Miedema plays a wonderful flicked pass into the path of Little, who fires a snap shot into the bottom right corner. Fiorentina 0-2 Arsenal pic.twitter.com/qZqscJTssJ — Women's Football News (@WFRumour) September 12, 2019

Arsenal were able to conserve energy…

Miedema makes it three. There's no stopping her. Fiorentina 0-3 Arsenal pic.twitter.com/xtn8y6FFRt — Women's Football News (@WFRumour) September 12, 2019

Arsenal have a gruelling schedule to open the season with a pair of Champions League ties, an away match at Manchester United and a Conti Cup group match against London City Lionesses. Montemurro spoke about playing Jill Roord in a slightly deeper role in the second half of the victory over West Ham to help her to preserve some energy.

This was a gentle workout in Florence with Arsenal dominating the ball. Montemurro rested Miedema against West Ham and subbed her after 60 minutes in Italy, while Danielle van de Donk was also replaced well before the end against Fiorentina. Montemurro ought to be able to rotate well for the London City Lionesses match and could entertain resting anyone carrying knocks and bruises for the second leg of this tie. Part of managing the schedule is to control the matches and not allow them to become as frayed as the final 20 minutes became against West Ham. Montemurro’s decision making has shown deference to the schedule so far.