Kyra Cooney-Cross is an ever-evolving player for Arsenal. A central defensive midfielder, and the occasional central midfielder for both Australia and Hammarby in her past, her role in North London systemically looks slightly different upon her arrival to the Gunners. It was obvious for the viewer at points that her confidence was slipping, and uncertainty was creeping in. But, across the first glimpses of her this season, Cooney-Cross is back at her very best, whilst looking fresh and exciting in the Arsenal midfield.
Analysing Champions League qualifiers
As Arsenal commenced their competitive season with UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers against both Rangers and Rosenborg, Cooney-Cross played to the left of Kim Little, with Katie McCabe and Mariona Caldentey on the left wing. In many ways, the Australian was used in the UWCL qualifiers as an assister to Caldentey, and a provider for Alessia Russo at the top of the field. In the opening moments of the Rosenborg game, there was hints of this. Caldentey collects the ball on the wing off of McCabe and is quickly shut t down.
Cooney-Cross then pulls into the vacated space by the Rosenborg players closing down Caldentey, and dribbles centrally. Frida Leonhardsen-Maanum as the attacking midfielder pulls out to the wing space, ahead of Caldentey, leaving even more room centrally for Cooney-Cross. By gaining that central position, she then passes to Russo. Whilst Russo was being closely marked, Russo does gain control.
Arsenal’s high-line in many places means the central defensive midfielders are in and around the box naturally when they pass the ball around. The entire left side played seamlessly in the game, it must be said. By having Cooney-Cross play into the central positions, Russo remains high and doesn’t fall too deep, meaning she is more of a box threat.
Likewise, McCabe, Caldentey and Maanum remain out wide on the left, to overload and dominate the wing. Whilst Rosenborg are playing a low block, the 5:3 overload-ratio of Gunners to Troillongans means Arsenal immediately have the upper hand. And all of this is facilitated by Cooney-Cross’ exploitation of space.
Ability to split lines ‘not a new part of her craft’
There has been much talk around Cooney-Cross’ ability to split lines. It’s not a new part of her craft; she was winning trophies because of it in Sweden and Australia. Her vision is an overwhelming addition to a squad, finding others and acting on it. But more than that, Cooney-Cross has figured out how to accurately weigh her passes to make them worth it. Passes out wide to the wingers are already paying off, to enhance attacks from deep in midfield.
Cooney-Cross’ pass from what was essentially the backline, to Caitlin Foord against Rosenborg was both beautiful in its composure as well as its execution. Cooney-Cross is an excellent ball carrier and pulls towards the right to back the pass to Foord more reliable. Her right foot spins and projects the ball through the air to perfect, falling to her Matildas teammate to perfection.
Cooney-Cross’ decision-making in this moment stands out. Both her and Foord are in good space to pull off such a move. There is no chance of interception between the two. Likewise, Cooney-Cross reads the right amount of space whilst Foord is still on the move. It’s a harder skill to pull off when the end recipient is not stationary. By perfectly pulling off the pass, Cooney-Cross shows displays an acute and accurate understanding of the movements and actions of her teammates, and how her singular moves makes the best opportunities for them.
Even under situations with less thinking time, Cooney-Cross pulls off the same switch to the wing on instinct. Considerably further left than the previous example, Cooney-Cross spots the right winger in space to make the pass across the field. An impressive and eye-catching skill in its own right, Cooney-Cross shows an understanding of what is needed of her in congested and polluted midfielders.
With all but the striker ahead of the Australian in this situation, small, pacy passes into the final third would be too easy to intercept. Though by passing across of the heads of the players to reach a wide player in space, Arsenal can push attack forwards in an effective manner without being overturned in their own half. And it stems from the understanding from Cooney-Cross that, that is what is best.
There are smaller areas of Cooney-Cross’ game that deserve mention. The quick touches between feet to swirl around opposition, the last ditch tackles that show a level of ruthlessness, the want to run into traffic with the ball at her feet to get out the other side with it still there. Cooney-Cross has always been a player of style and substance and swagger. Unpredictable and passionate, the fun that she brought to the midfield at Hammarby is presenting itself in North London and promises for a future of more success.
As the new season commences thick and fast, Kyra Cooney-Cross is demonstrating why Arsenal spent the money on her. Forever a player for the future, the future is now, and the Australian is bringing the style and level she did in Sweden to the Barclays WSL. A big season awaits for the midfielder.
