Photo: Ben Phillips
Arsenal achieved a crucial victory to give them a lifeline in the title race and a secure third-place position in the WSL table in front of a packed-out Emirates Stadium. The home support in North London was in full voice during the clash, and Manchester United now trail seven points behind the Gunners and a chance at Champions League Qualification next season.
Six notable changes were made to the Arsenal lineup from the side that lost 2-1 to West Ham in their last WSL fixture. Cloe Lacasse started on the left- wing in favour of Caitlin Foord, Sabrina D’ Angelo took the number one spot over Manuela Zinsberger and Alessia Russo made way for Stina Blackstenius. Marc Skinner’s Manchester United looked almost identical to their last league lineup, with only the injured Jayde Riviere missing.
The tension between the two sides was high from the get-go, and Arsenal’s backline looked worrying after a string of miscommunication between Laia Codina and D’Angelo, leading to two United free kicks inside the five-minute mark. With Nikita Parris in the nine for United, there was no room for further error
Codina was issued a warning before the home side knuckled down after an unsteady start, and they confidently claimed command of the possession. Their early efforts were quickly rewarded, but Mead’s first corner was punched clear by Mary Earps’. Luck struck the hosts on their second, as Katie McCabe’s corner kick rebounded off Geyse in the six-yard box, cruising over the line and into the back of the United net for an own goal.
Few chances were granted to United to make a break on the attack in the subsequent minutes, and Arsenal were relentless in their search for a second. The away side conceded a free kick in a dangerous position shortly after, but there was no trouble for an awaiting Earps as Mead sent the shot over the bar.
The opportunity to grasp an equaliser appeared in the 28’ minute after Arsenal were caught out in their own half, but Ella Toone’s shot took a deflection and crept just centimetres wide of the post. United were able to pull back a degree of control until Arsenal rattled Gemma Evans, and golden opportunity struck for the home side. Pelova’s pass to Blackstenius initially looked like a missed chance, until a poor clearance from Katie Zelem landed with Lacasse and allowed her to capitalise on United’s misfortune. The winger’s header soared into the right-hand side of Earp’s goal and effectively doubled the host’s lead.
Disaster struck the visitors yet again when left-back Evans’ challenge brought down Mead in the box. Arsenal was swiftly awarded a penalty kick, which Captain Little converted calmly from the spot, sending Earps’ diving in the opposite direction. By the half-time whistle, the home team were assuredly sitting three goals ahead of their opponents after a 45-minute battle.
The start of the second half entailed a change for each side. Despite her first-half impact and role in the seamless Arsenal midfield, Pelova was substituted for Kyra Cooney-Cross due to injury concern, and Gemma Evans was an anticipated change for United, making way for Leah Galton.
Skinner’s United started the second spell on a stronger foot with clear intention to chase down the host’s lead. The 51st minute saw a run into the Arsenal half that at first glance looked promising for the away side, but centre-back Wubben-Moy dealt with the threat with ease.
Arsenal’s most promising chances for a fourth came in quick succession in the second half, when a defensive error from Hannah Blundell was intercepted by Blackstenius in the box, but Earps’ was able to knock the attempt away.
A clearance from Maya Le Tissier again was collected by Arsenal, and the resulting build-up from McCabe and Little was in vain as Mead’s shot struck the inside of the post, hitting the woodwork for a second-time just moments later.
Lisa Naalsund shortly left the field to be replaced by Hayley Ladd, providing some defensive reinforcement and fresh legs for the away side.
United’s best chance of the 90 so far came in the 70’ minute mark, when Zelem was able to dispossess midfield maestro Lia Wälti, and Toone found Parris on the right-hand side of the pitch. D’Angelo saved the forward’s effort before Steph Catley fended off the rebound, the action forcing her off the field for fellow Matilda’s teammate, Caitlin Foord.
Right up until the dying moments of the game, United fought against the hosts until their tireless labour paid off. D’Angelo came off her line during the visitor’s corner, her attempts to claim the ball failing as Garcia slotted the ball into the net.
After 100 minutes of action between two top-table teams, the final whistle sounded and Arsenal’s victory in a historic fixture was officially sealed. With the defeat, the gap between third and fourth place extends to seven points, and the Gunners now sit just three points behind joint league- leaders, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): D’Angelo (GK), Wubben- Moy, Catley, Mead, Little, Walti, McCabe, Pelova, Lacasse, Blackstenius, Codina Substitutes: Zinsberger (GK), Miedema (75’), Maanum (75’), Foord (84’), Russo (66’), Cooney- Cross (46’), Lia, Reid, Bouhaddi
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Earps (GK), Blundell, Garcia, Naalsund, Parris, Turner, Toone, Le Tissier, Zelem, Evans, Geyse Substitutes: Tullis- Joyce (GK), Mannion, Guerrero, Malard (78’), Galton (46’), Ladd (70’), Williams (62’), Aherne
Referee: Kirsty Dowle
Attendance: 60,160 (new WSL record)
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