Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall praised Jen Beattie’s experience and conviction in helping the Gunners to a comeback draw against Juventus in the Champions League on Thursday night.
Beattie started on the bench for the group stage clash, but the 31-year-old was called up on by Eidevall on the hour mark as Arsenal stared at a 1-0 deficit following Lineth Beerensteyn’s low-driven effort shortly after the interval.
And the veteran defender’s introduction in place of Jordan Nobbs helped to turn the tide of the match, with Beattie’s discernment and composure on full display as Arsenal grabbed an equaliser through Vivianne Miedema ’s header after the hour mark.
And when asked about the fighting spirit to respond to going down a goal, Eidevall singled out Beattie as a critical component in claiming the draw.
“It’s very important both that spirit and also getting Jennifer Beattie from the bench,” he told club media post match.
“She provides a lot of calm, a lot of leadership on the pitch. Great decision making with the ball."
Beattie has only started one match this season across all competitions, in Arsenal’s Champions League group stage clash against FC Zurich, who are bottom of Group C with zero points.
In total, Beattie has racked up roughly 50 minutes of game time this season but her influence on Thursday’s match was notable, with Beattie registering two headed clearances and a 95.5% pass accuracy across 21 passes.
And Eidevall hinted that such aplomb from substitutions could prove critical further down the line as Arsenal continue to wrestle with injuries amid a cramped fixture schedule.
He said: "A lot of times that is how you can change the game in the second half, with substitutions and I think we used that well today. So very happy with Jen and she played a massive part in us coming back into this game.”
Arsenal return to action when they welcome Everton in the Women’s Super League on December 3/
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