All eyes were on Arsenal as they travelled to Leigh Sports Village to face Marc Skinner’s Manchester United. Interim manager Renèe Slegers geared up her team as they looked to gather a third consecutive win under her management.
With Arsenal sitting fifth in the league standings heading into the game, a win over Manchester United would be important for Slegers and her side to take them higher up the table. It looked as though Arsenal was going to take all three points, with Alessia Russo slotting the ball into the left corner in the 62nd minute.
Manchester United however ensured that the points were shared, with Melvine Malard heading home a corner late in the game.
The Lineups
MUN: Tullis-Joyce, Turner, Le Tissier, Janssen, George, Naalsund, Clinton, Mannion, Bizet, Toone, Terland
ARS: van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe, Little, Walti, Caldentey, Maanum, Foord, Russo
The Action
It would be Manchester United’s Ella Toone who kicked off the game, looking to find early dominance over Arsenal. Arsenal however gain control of the game, slowing the pace and looking to create an early attack.
Manchester United earned the first corner of the game, with a cross from Gabby George blocked. Despite two consecutive corners, Manchester United were unable to take an early lead through the Arsenal defence.
The Red Devils had a chance once again, as Ella Toone found a gap in the Arsenal defence, shooting from midfield. Daphne van Domselaar easily read the manuvorere, and collected the strike with ease.
Arsenal seemed to control the attack from there, making convincing movements towards goal. Captain Kim Little picked up an early yellow card in the 9th minute, having to defend a break following an Arsenal deflection in the attacking half, fouling Manchester United’s Elisabeth Terland.
Alessia Russo found herself in space to sho0t outside the box, sending the ball soaring towards goal. A slight deflection by Millie Turner saw the ball rattle the crossbar as Arsenal continued their search for a first goal.
Both teams seemed to silence each others attack, with battles across the pitch meaning neither could create a convincing forward action. As both teams attempted to use possession to their advantage, the momentum of the game began to slow.
Arsenal were able to conjure a sharp attack, with Frida Maanum crossing tight in front of the goal from the left flank. Turner read the move however, heading the ball wide for a corner. It would be Turner to save Manchester United from the corner move once again, clearing a header from Steph Catley on the goal line.
Arsenal began to apply the pressure onto United, forcing them to hold a deep block. Kim Little was able to provide Frida Maanum with a ball through on goal at the edge of the box, Maanum however was unable to control the ball to shoot.
Manchester United looked to score, with Celin Bizet crossing the ball from the left flank towards the head of Terland, a move which saw two goals from the pair in their 3-0 win over Tottenham this season. Terland was able to head towards goal but Arsenal’s Daphne van Domselaar made a strong save to deny the goal.
With Arsenal on attack once again, Frida Maanum found space to cross from the left flank, finding Caitlin Foord infront of goal. A slight deflection ensured Foord could not convert her shot, with Tullis-Jouce stretching to catch the ball.
The half time whistles signified a goal-less half. Despite a lack of goals, both teams had convincing battles across the pitch.
Arsenal picked up a free kick on the edge of the area, with Millie Turner receiving a yellow card for a foul on Alessia Russo. Katie McCabe swung the goal in from the right flank, trying to find the head of an Arsenal player. Manchester United defender Maya Le Tissier is on hand to head the ball away at the front post.
It would be Alessia Russo to open the scoring for Arsenal in the 62nd minute, scoring her first goal in the Women’s Super League this season. A strong attacking move saw Caldentey play a through ball to Emily Fox in the box. Fox found the feet of Russo in front of goal, who slotted the ball into the bottom left corner much to the dismay of her former side.
The goal seemed to ignite momentum in Arsenal, as they looked eager to grab a second. Mead found the head of Russo through a cross on the right wing, however Russo was unable to direct the ball towards goal.
With ten minutes to go, Manchester United were searching for a goal to level the scoring. They struggled to create an attack around the Arsenal defence but picked up a corner for their efforts.
Substitute Melvine Malard levelled the scoring in the 81st minute, as Gabby George sent the ball towards the head of Rachel Williams who sent it towards the goal. Daphne van Domselaar was unable to make the save as Malard got the final touch on the ball to send it into the back of the net.
Panic arose within the Arsenal team as Katie McCabe found herself in a tussle with Geyse. It looked as though McCabe may receive a second yellow card in quick succession. With a crucial decision to make, the referee opted to hand Geyse a yellow instead.
The game moved into six added minutes, both teams looked hungry to find the winning goal. Stina Blackstenius sent the ball into the box as Jayde Rivere deflected it for a corner. Rachel Williams flicked the ball away, however it was kept alive by Stina Blackstenius who found the head of Lina Hurtig. Hurtig flicked the ball towards Leah Williamson who headed it towards goal, but found the hands of United goalkeeper Tullis-Joyce.
With the final whistle looming, Arsenal found a corner in the last few seconds. Beth Mead sent the ball towards a packed five yard box, with Tullis-Joyce making her final crucial save of the game. Lia Wälti looked to score on the rebound, her strike rattled the top of the crossbar with the very last touch of the game.
The Gunners will be licking their wounds once again, after a dominant performance failed to transpire into three points.
