Arsenal were left frustrated on Saturday as they drew 1-1 to another newly promoted side at the Emirates, this time against a stubborn Birmingham City side.
It could have been worse for the Gunners after they fell behind to an Océane Hurtré inspired Birmingham City early in the second half. It was only by the grace of an Olivia Smith wonder-goal that Arsenal were spared the embarrassment of defeat and would leave with a point. Arsenal had returned to the Emirates for the first time since a damaging set of results away from home in the Barclays Women’s Super League, back-to-back defeats to title rivals. That meant Arsenal were on their joint longest winless run in WSL history having drawn their previous two against Crystal Palace and Manchester United at the Emirates.
Pre-match the news had not improved for Arsenal fans, on Friday head coach Renée Slegers confirmed that Mariona Caldentey would be side-lined for around 8-10 weeks after picking up an injury in Arsenal’s 4-2 defeat to Manchester City. Still unavailable was Chloe Kelly, who missed out on the England squad this month, both Katie Reid and Daphne van Domsellar are said to be nearing a return but this squad came too soon for either to be involved. New signing Selina Cerci was also unavailable for Arsenal after undergoing minor knee surgery during the international break. Both Frida Maanum and Kim Little were missing from the squad with the latter out with an illness. Smilla Holmberg, Stina Blackstenius, Misa Rodríguez and Olivia Smith moved into the starting side after each of the outfield players were on target.
The visitors had no such injury concerns coming into this one, with Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month Océane Hurtré raring to go on the back of her goal and assist on her French debut. Guem Min Lee dropped to the bench while bright young French striker Chancelle Effa Effa was left out of the squad entirely. There was applause pre-match in honour of Ken Pior, the former Managing Director of Arsenal and a driving force in Arsenal’s successful move to the Emirates, who passed away earlier this week.
The Lineups
ARS: Misa; Holmberg, Williamson, Catley, Battle; Cooney-Cross, Stanway, Russo; Baum, Smith, Blackstenius
BIR: Baggaley; McKenna, Cooke, Turner, Herron; Levasseur, Miyagawa, Naalsund, Hurtré; Amano, Crosthwaite
The Action
While Arsenal dominated the early minutes, Birmingham looked dangerous on the break a theme that would continue throughout. The Blues best moment of the first quarter of an hour came as Lily Croswaite was played through, far out from goal her effort bounced past the post but that should have been a warning sign for the home side. An inventive chip was as close as Arsenal came in the first 20 minutes with Alessia Russo lifting her effort over the bar after Sophie Baggaley had surrendered possession. Arsenal tested Baggaley for the first time through Kyra Cooney-Cross whose zipping effort from distance was pawed away by the English shot stopper. Shortly after it was the Australian providing the impetus again, dropping the shoulder to completely sell her marker before her subsequent effort on goal deflected wide.
With just under 10 minutes to play, Arsenal had their best chance of the half. Leah Williamson took up the half space clipping a teasing ball to the back post, Russo met it with a powerful header that bounced off the upright and out. After the break it was Holmberg who took aim after losing her marker, her effort flew over the bar but it was a welcome opportunity created by the home side. However it was Birmingham City who would take the lead, after Arsenal had a penalty appeal waved away the Blues broke on the counter. An inch perfect through ball from Neve Nerron threaded the eye of the needle and found Hurtré driving through on goal. Her outside of the boot finish put the visitors ahead, to stun the home crowd.
Arsenal looked unsteady but started to create in attack again with 25 minutes to play. Olivia Smith drove to the bye-line lofting the ball across the box, Lisa Baum met it at the back post but her effort was brilliantly saved by Baggaley. Smith was beginning to take control, picking the ball up on the edge of the box and moving the ball onto her right foot, she let fly, finding the roof of the net in spectacular fashion. A string of saves from Baggaley followed, once again proving Arsenal’s foil having helped Brighton to the 1-1 draw that ended Arsenal’s title hopes last term. Géraldine Reuteler came off the bench to cause some issues for the visitors, and she forced Baggaley into an excellent late save. Birmingham City held on for a valuable point.
Arsenal Player Ratings
GK: Misa Rodríguez – 6/10 – Communication with her back line did not seem at it’s best, Arsenal continue to struggle in the absence of Daphne van Domselaar.
RB: Smilla Holmberg – 8/10 – Had a difficult job getting space on the wing against a Birmingham side that clearly respected her attacking qualities. She still managed to created two big chances and make four key passes both match leading totals.
RCB: Leah Williamson – 7.5/10 – Her invention in attack and positive movement were important for Arsenal today, her long ball accuracy was on point but Arsenal were again caught on the break for Birmingham to open the scoring. Alongside Holmberg she made four key passes.
LCB: Lotte Wubben-Moy – 6.5/10 – Her proactive front footed defending, showed some excellent close control at times. She was caught out with a lack of pace and positioning for the goal.
LB: Ona Battle – 7/10 – Battle has not looked like the same player that lifted the UEFA Women’s Champions League just a few months ago but she improved today. Seemed like she had a good understanding with Smith in front of her.
CM: Georgia Stanway– 7/10 – A physical presence in midfield, keen to ensure that Arsenal were not run through the middle of the park so easily. Took control at times when required to in the midfield.
CM: Kyra Cooney-Cross – 8/10 – Great tacking back at times from Arsenal’s September Player of the Month, she also gave Arsenal some purpose from midfield when they desperately needed it in the first half.
RW: Lisa Baum – 7/10 – As ever this season, Baum was a livewire and bundle of technical prowess, faded a little in the middle of the match and should have scored late on.
LW: Olivia Smith – 8/10 – Clearly had a point to prove, set up a big chance and scored a Goal of the Month contender all in the space of two profitable minutes for Arsenal. Her inventive wing play was so much of what Arsenal have been missing this term.
CAM: Alessia Russo – 6/10 – Hit the post with a powerful header, but should have scored. Needs to step up for her side when they are in a tight spot.
ST: Stina Blackstenius – 5.5/10 – A puzzling afternoon for Blackstenius who should have scored when presented with a big chance.
SUBS
Géraldine Reuteler (78′ Blackstenius) – 6.5/10 – Made an inventive diagonal run across the face of goal that almost caught Birmingham out. Hard to understand why the Swiss midfielder didn’t start. Should have scored when presented with an excellent opportunity late on.
Emily Fox (78′ Holmberg) – 6.5/10 – Rested after playing two intense matches against Spain for the USA, came off the bench and played some positive passes.
Élisa de Almeida – (86′ Battle) – N/A –
Caitlin Foord – (86′ Baum) – N/A –
Birmingham City Player Ratings
GK: Sophie Baggaley – 7.5/10 – No player has made more saves from inside the box than Sophie Baggley this term and she was forced into making a couple more this afternoon. Could do little to stop a blistering effort from Smith.
RB: Rebecca McKenna – 7.5/10 – The backline made 46 clearances in this one a mighty defensive showing and McKenna was a big part of that.
RCB: Shannon Cooke – 8/10 – She was vital experience at the back for Birmingham and she seemed just about everywhere making clearances for the visitors.
LCB: Millie Turner – 8/10 – With 31 defensive contributions across the back four the defence worked overtime and Turner marshalled them expertly.
LB: Neve Herron – 8.5/10 – Her assist for the opening goal was nothing short of magic. Herron made the most defensive contributions of any player on the pitch by some distance with 20.
RM: Océane Hurtré – 8/10 – Off the back of her fruitful French debut, she was brimming with confidence and she has every right to be. The winger finished off an exceptional break away move to open the scoring. Seemed to be withdrawn with an injury.
CM: Lisa Naalsund– 7/10 – Did what was required of her in the middle of the park.
CM: Asato Miyagawa– 8/10 – Made the most tackles of any player on the pitch, making sure that Birmingham were not overrun in midfield by Arsenal’s talent. Her twelve duels won was easily the most on the pitch.
LM: Marie Levasseur – 8/10 – Tasked with dropping back to defend the threat of Smilla Holmberg, she did so exceptionally well, giving her no space to find a ball into the box.
SS: Suzu Amano – 6/10 – A quiet afternoon for the midfielder who was withdrawn early in the second half.
ST: Lili Croswaite – 6/10 – Struggled to get involved in proceedings up front.
SUBS
Geum Min Lee (56′ Amano) – 6.5/10 – Provided some guile on the Emirates turf with Birmingham under pressure..
Veatriki Sarri – (78′ Hurtré) – 6/10 – Sarri was hardly involved at all after coming on with Arsenal pushing for a winner.
