“I knew she was good, however she was higher than I anticipated,” Jonas Eidevall remarked after catching a primary glimpse of younger midfielder Frida Maanum in Arsenal colors again in 2021.
Over 18 months later, an identical narrative nonetheless applies. The Norway worldwide continues to defy expectation even now, having transitioned right into a fully-fledged attacking pressure this season. “It’s fully sudden,” Maanum herself freely admitted.
Goals aren’t one thing Maanum is famed for. They weren’t the commodity on which she constructed her profession in Norway.
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Yet because the midfielder-cum-attacker sits down to debate the trials and tribulations of the present marketing campaign in an unique chat at Arsenal’s coaching base, she does in order Arsenal’s main scorer.
A haul of 10 objectives (in all competitions) makes Maanum the Gunners’ most potent attacking menace – a incontrovertible fact that continues to rack her modest nature.
Maanum is tied with each Vivianne Miedema and Stina Blackstenius in league tallies, however has additionally exercised a watch for purpose within the Champions League – scoring a hat-trick towards Zurich in addition to one towards eight-time European champions Lyon.
“It’s the place all of it started,” she explains, considering again to that historic night time at Stade des Lumieres in mid-October. The 5-1 thumping lay down a surprising marker for Arsenal’s Champions League credentials this time period, however furthermore, initiated the emergence of masterful Maanum – the Gunners secret attacking weapon.
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Frida Maanum heatmaps
“The first recreation was Lyon away,” she remembers. “It’s in all probability the easiest way to start out [something new]. It labored out properly and I really feel like I’ve developed in that place ever since.”
There are few greater statements to make – beating the ‘gold customary’ of European soccer so comprehensively in their very own again yard. That night time, Maanum was chosen forward of Miedema within the No 10 place – a stroke of tactical genius by supervisor Eidevall, albeit one which drew preliminary scepticism.
Indeed the shock resolution to exclude Miedema was latterly justified by Maanum’s excellence on the ball, utilizing a new-found confidence to drive at defenders in areas of the pitch that have been beforehand alien to a deep-lying midfielder. The efficiency rubber-stamped the Norwegian’s new title position.
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Frida Maanum celebrates scoring Arsenal’s second purpose vs Lyon in October
“Jonas knew the entire time that I preferred enjoying as a ten, increased up the pitch,” the 23-year-old continues. “I did {that a} bit with my earlier group. I can play as a six too, however Jonas needed to attempt one thing new.
“From my facet, I needed to play that place. It’s a mixture of causes however I’m completely satisfied enjoying there. You may say I’m a ten now and I actually like that position.”
What started as an experimental change has developed right into a obligatory triumph as Arsenal proceed to deal with accidents to Miedema and Beth Mead – who have been collectively accountable for 38.5 per cent of the Gunners’ WSL objectives final season.
Maanum, nonetheless, is embracing being entrance a centre. Not solely does she benefit from the extra accountability, she’s thriving off it, regardless of showing bashful when reminded of her private purpose tally for the season. “Is it 10? I believe it is 9 or 10,” say stated, unassumingly.
“I’ve been engaged on my ending for a very long time. You come to a degree the place you loosen up a bit and that helps with scoring extra objectives. I have not earlier than been a goalscorer, actually, however I simply attempt to rating objectives for the group. I at all times wish to contribute to profitable.
“When you say [I’m Arsenal’s leading scorer] I am unable to actually consider it. I did not see that coming. I knew I had the flexibility to attain objectives however I did not assume I may rating 10 objectives by this level within the season. It’s very sudden.
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Frida Maanum celebrates after equalising for Arsenal towards Man United
“We all should step up [in the absence of Mead and Miedema]. Not solely me. You get that strain to attain within the position I’m in. They [Mead and Miedema] scored a great deal of objectives final season however the accountability is now divided between everybody. We all have to step up and rating their objectives.
“You have to seek out connections with these round you and I just like the accountability truly.”
Arsenal attacking stats
WSL rank
Shots
20
1st
On goal
7.6
1st
Touches in opp field
34.6
1st
Goals
2.6
third
xG
5.98
4th
Replicating the likes of Mead and Miedema is just not straightforward. But that’s not Maanum’s intention. She is just not considering changing, merely enhancing. Arsenal lead the WSL in pictures and touches within the opposition field per recreation – however fall down barely on shot conversion.
“It takes time,” Maanum says.
“You want time to create relationships – within the 10 position you must construct connections. Particularly with the wingers and the 9, even the sixes. It’s a vital position – I like that too.
Mollie and Rosie Kmita assess the diploma to which Chelsea’s power in depth may give them the benefit within the WSL title race.
“When we now have management of the sport it does not actually matter except we rating the purpose. We should know it is going to be laborious till the tip. But when the group is doing good it is simpler for me to carry out. I wish to achieve video games by scoring objectives.”
During Sunday’s stalemate at West Ham, Arsenal registered 9 pictures heading in the right direction however could not make one stick. That job now falls to Maanum, amongst others, to transform such dominance into treasured factors, notably after a trophy-barren 4 years – the will for silverware has overtaken the necessity for a lot else.
Highlights of the Women’s Super League match between West Ham and Arsenal.
“Personally, I’d prefer to be six factors forward [of Chelsea and Manchester United] however for the followers and all of the followers it is in all probability enjoyable that it is tight,” the transformed ahead stated of the WSL title race. “The constructive facet of the English league is that it is so tight – you must be on it each recreation. You should be in your 100 per cent, that is what makes it entertaining. We all need it to be a decent race till the final recreation.”
Maanum has the backing of her supervisor to supply the products. “We have sufficient objectives,” Eidevall reaffirmed this week, regardless of inflicting a stir earlier than the January switch window closed by pursuing Manchester United striker Alessia Russo. “We at all times have to consider. The second you cease believing you can’t win,” he added.
Arsenal will check their firepower towards Manchester City for the second time in three days on Saturday, stay on Sky Sports, having additionally triumphed within the Conti Cup midweek – a revealing rehearsal.
Blackstenius got here off the bench to attain an extra-time winner as Arsenal dumped holders City out of the competitors after a goalless 90 minutes on Wednesday. “To achieve video games and rating objectives is a giant confidence enhance,” Maanum defined earlier than that encounter.
Arsenal ladies’s head coach Jonas Eidevall says their WSL Cup semi-final towards Manchester City is unlikely to have any bearing when the 2 groups meet within the league simply three days later.
Advantage Arsenal? Maybe psychologically. They definitely edged Wednesday’s tactical tussle however did lose their WSL factors leverage over the Mancunians final weekend – with each side now locked on 26, 4 shy of leaders Chelsea.
Saturday’s lunchtime assembly has the potential to be season-defining – for each. The strain is on. “It will probably be a enjoyable recreation to observe, that is for positive.” Maanum concluded.
Less enjoyable to play in, you’d suspect.
Watch Man City vs Arsenal stay on Sky Sports Football on Saturday from noon, kick-off 12.30pm.
