Manchester United Women 2 – 2 Arsenal Women

Both teams had to settle for a draw at Leigh Sports Village in this thrilling encounter between the WSL giants.

Arsenal headed north up the M6 hoping to get their season back on track but a determined United team had other plans. Following their surprise Champions League exit and a WSL opening day loss to Liverpool, Arsenal needed to take something positive away from this game.

The pen ink had barely dried on Jonas Eidevall’s new contract but that didn’t stop him from shaking things up with his team selection. Out went Zinsberger following a nervy display against Liverpool and in came Canadian D’Angelo in goal for Arsenal. Wubben-Moy, McCabe, Maanum and Foord also dropped to the bench for this crunch WSL game. Maritz, Pelova, Codina and Ilestedt replaced them, in an experimental line-up.

Eidevall’s risky team selection looked to have paid off, as Arsenal enjoyed large periods of possession and when Blackstenius powered through the United defence to find the back of the net, United had a big task on their hands to turn the game around.

Arsenal continued to look the stronger team until disaster struck for the Arsenal goalkeeper. As the ball was optimistically played forward by United, D’Angelo strode forwards to beat Galton to the ball, only to swing and miss the ball. Galton pounced on the mistake to stick the ball away. Arsenal will have felt unlucky to have gone in level at half-time but there was still all to play for.

Manchester United Fans Boo Russo

The Manchester United fans booed Russo’s every touch, with the anger of her summer move to Arsenal still fresh in their minds. Being booed by the fans that once adored her seemed to spur Russo on. Only for some brilliance from the ever-reliable Earps prevented her from getting on the scoresheet. Arsenal’s pursuit of Earps becoming more justified by the minute.

Arsenal made a triple substitution, bringing Foord, McCabe and Maanum into the action. Williams, Miyazawa and Malard entered the fray for United. Russo went agonisingly close when she clipped the post but it was a United summer addition that grabbed the next goal. Malard capitalised on another error at the back, with confusion between Ilestedt and D’Angelo allowing Malard to slot home. As the minutes ticked by, it seemed Arsenal would leave with nothing to show for the efforts.

That is until the 93rd minute when the recently introduced Lacasse fired the ball into the top corner with a stunning strike that Earps could do nothing about. A draw may have been the fair score in the end but Arsenal will be concerned about their goalkeeper situation and how penetrable the defence has been in recent games.

Final score: Manchester United Women 2 – 2 Arsenal Women

Upcoming Fixtures

Next up, Manchester United play PSG in the UWCL, before they take on Leicester City in the WSL.

Arsenal welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday 15 October.