And that’s it for today’s blog. I’ll leave you with Maryam Naz’s match report. Thanks for reading!
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Manchester United head coach Mark Skinner gives his reaction. “Disappointed maybe in the way we conceded the goal but I’ve got nothing but admiration for us because we’ve played three games in a week. We’ve played away against Chelsea in midweek and Arsenal have had a lot of time to prepare for us and we’ve come in and put in a performance like that. It wasn’t vintage Manchester United but it was what a tight game needed. What a show of growth from us that we’re coming to Arsenal now and we’re thinking we should have been taking these points. It’s a massive step forward for our team.”
Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall says: “I feel pretty drained right now. Obviously it was quite a bit of a rollercoaster during the match but I’m very proud of the team.”
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Arsenal (30) now lead Chelsea (25) by five points having played 13 games. But Emma Hayes’ side have two matches in hand and could cut that gap to just two if they beat the Gunners on Friday night. Man Utd also have 25 points but are third due to Chelsea having a superior goal difference.
Arsenal forward Viv Miedema speaks: “Incredbily tough. I think Man U came out really well, they were better the first half. We made it really difficult for ourselves, obviously, with the sending off but I think what we showed after that is what we’re about right now and we need to fight hard. In the second-half the performance was really good from our side.”
A more muted, factual response from Man Utd’s social media team.
It finishes level in London. #MUWomen | #FAWSL pic.twitter.com/6Gzi6gxLua
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) February 5, 2022
Arsenal’s super-sub saves the day.
Trailing and down to 10...
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) February 5, 2022
But we 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 give up! ✊ pic.twitter.com/ddX2y1Ul83
Arsenal looked to be staring at defeat there when 1-0 down and seeing Katie McCabe sent off with just 15 minutes remaining. But they found an equaliser thanks to a bit of quality and probably deserved their point. Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall punched the air when the full-time whistle sounded so his relief was clear. They’ve kept their lead over Man Utd to five points. As for his opposite number Marc Skinner, the United boss must be feeling this was one that got away. Even so, a point away to the leaders is still another hugely positive sign for his improving team.
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Full-time: Arsenal 1-1 Man Utd
It’s all over!
90+6: Groenen tries a backheel in the box but the offside flag goes up to Arsenal’s relief.
90+4: United still struggling to make their extra body tell and Thomas’s pass has too much on it and runs through to Zinsberger.
90+3 min: Little’s corner is headed clear by Thorisdottir and the danger passes.
90+2 min: Arsenal go long again and win a corner near the right corner flag. Maritz then drives to the line and wins a corner.
90 min: The fourth official’s board goes up and there will be SEVEN added minutes. Plenty of time for a winner.
89 min: Arsenal have been much better at dealing with Zelem’s set-pieces in this second half but there are dangers coming from elsewhere. Galton finds space in the box and Zinsberger has to dash out and smother her shot/cross in the six-yard box.
88 min: Not this time. Zelem’s ball is booted away by Maanum and then Rafaelle does well to stop Arsenal conceding another corner. Only temporarily though as United press again and add to the corner count.
87 min: Can either side muster one final big opportunity? United could do here after winning another corner.
86 min: Maanum has looked lively since coming on and her cross from the right has to be dealt with by Earps.
85 min: Arsenal still trying to win this despite being a woman down after the red card.
84 min: Mead goes off, walking quite well it has to be said, and on comes Boye.
82 min: Can United respond? They’ll have to wait though as there are more stoppages. It’s Arsenal’s Mead now down on the ground; she’s pointing to her left knee. The Gunners won’t want another player out given that McCabe is now suspended for the big clash with Chelsea on Friday.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Man Utd (Blackstenius 78)
78 min: The 10 of Arsenal are level! What a crucial goal that could be. Miedema drops deep and sends a superb through ball to Blackstenius, who steadies herself and fires past Earps. The United goalkeeper got something on it but not enough. It’s Blackstenius’s birthday as well!
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78 min: Batlle needs some cotton wool up the nose to stop the blood. She’s okay to continue though.
77 min: Another stoppage as Batlle takes a knock. It’s all becoming stop-start but United won’t mind that one bit. They’re a goal up and have a 11 v 10 advantage.
McCABE IS SENT OFF!
75 min: Arsenal are down to 10 as McCabe is shown a second yellow for a wild challenge. Huge blow for the hosts.
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73 min: Break in play as Thorisdottir takes a knock on her foot. United shuffle the pack as Thomas and Groenen come on for Russo and Bruun.
71 min: Glorious opportunity for United to make it 2-0. Galton does superbly down the left and Toone is through on goal after a deft touch past the final Arsenal defender. She opens her body and goes for the side-foot curler but starts the ball out too wide and it misses the left post. What a chance!
70 min: United’s energy levels still good as they clear after good dribbing skills from McCabe.
69 min: Some rare possession for United in the Arsenal half but it’s halted by an offside flag. It gives Arsenal the chance to bring on Rafaelle for the tiring Catley.
68 min: Arsenal preparing another substitution with Rafaelle set to come on.
66 min: Arsenal trying to step it up now and win a corner on the right. McCabe’s delivery looks dangerous but clears everyone with Arsenal having no-one at the back stick.
65 min: Drifting towards the last 25 minutes now and United are keeping Arsenal at arm’s length pretty much.
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63 min: Toone presses Catley and then United win a free-kick halfway inside the Arsenal half. Set-piece taker Zelem ties her lace as Miedema goes into the book, perhaps for saying something. The cross comes in but Arsenal head clear. Actually, Miedema’s yellow was for clipping Russo’s heel. The Dutch forward is cutting a frustrated figure today.
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60 min: Now it’s United’s turn and Bruun’s shot is blocked for a corner. Zinsberger punches away the first ball and also gets her fist to the rebound, earning a free-kick in the process.
59 min: Arsenal’s shuffle almost pays off immediately. Little finds space down the right, curls in a cross and Foord’s left-foot volley from a narrow angle is palmed away by Earps.
58 min: Arsenal decide to change it up with a double substitution. Beattie and Nobbs go off and on come Maanum and Blackstenius.
56 min: The free-kick is wasted. Arsenal get the ball back though and Mead whips it into the box and Beattie isn’t far away from getting something on the ball. McCabe then goes into the book for a robust challenge.
55 min: Super driving run from McCabe and Caldwell goes into the book for chopping her down just on the left edge of the box. Chance here for Arsenal.
54 min: Miedema latches on to a ball over the top but Batlle goes with her and doesn’t fall for the trickery. Possession back with United.
53 min: Maritz and Little work it well down the right and tee up Nobbs just outside the box but the Arsenal No.8 is leaning back and skies it well over the bar.
52 min: Earps’ clearance is a bit of a squiffy one but there’s enough on it to float out for a throw.
51 min: Four United players hovering near one Arsenal defender just now sums up the match.
50 min: United still pressing hard and Arsenal have to pass the ball across their own box, all stifled and frustrated.
48 min: Early corner for Arsenal as Thorisdottir clears behind. McCabe’s ball drifts in and Beattie looks certain to score but prods the ball onto Russo’s shin just shy of the goal-line and the chance goes begging. So close and goalscorer Russo now a hero at the other end.
47 min: An early United clearance flies over the stand. A souvenir for an afternoon dog walker perhaps.
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46 min: Peep peep! Arsenal start the second half. They’ve made a change, bringing on Foord for Heath. The Aussie joins the Arsenal huddle before the hosts get the ball back in play.
As it says on the tin...
Trailing at the break. @BarclaysFAWSL 🏆 pic.twitter.com/NoFhXM0DWM
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) February 5, 2022
⏸ @AlessiaRusso7's seventh goal of the season gives the Reds a half-time lead 👏#MUWomen | #FAWSL pic.twitter.com/2aoaTLImi2
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) February 5, 2022
Half time: Arsenal 0-1 Man Utd
That’s half-time and the leaders are losing. United are on track to move to within two of the Gunners and if they can keep this press going while threatening from set-pices, the hosts could be in big trouble here. Still, only 1-0 and Arsenal came back from a similar position to beat Brighton. All will be revealed after our half-time cuppas.
45+1 min: United break swiftly, Batlle plays a one-two with Toone and then curls a shot, or was it a cross, not far wide of the Arsenal post.
45 min: Arsenal are pressed deep inside their own half - the theme of this first half. Two added minutes coming up.
43 min: The corner comes in and Ladd’s flicked header drifts only just past the post. Not far away from 2-0 there. Arsenal still look vulnerable from corners and United are winning their share.
42 min: All still a bit ponderous from Arsenal and they cough up possession once more, Toone winning United another corner after being found by Bruun.
40 min: Earps gathers a right-wing cross with confidence. The England goalkeeper has a record 38 clean sheets in the WSL and she’s been excellent in this first half.
39 min: Heath takes a knock to the face after falling in a tackle. It’s a painful one but she’s okay. Free-kick to Arsenal just inside their own half.
38 min: Free-kick for United on the right-wing. Zelem curls it to the back post but Zinsberger does well to fist the ball away. It’s a windy day and the ball was moving.
36 min: Just a few signs that Arsenal have lost some momentum again. The United press remains relentless and another rushed pass up the line slices out of play.
35 min: Zelem pings in the corner which Arsenal head away. It drops to Batlle but she skies her attempt way, way over the crossbar.
34 min: Arsenal just playing it around at the back for a while as they struggle to find gaps. United pinch the ball and, after a neat backheel from Bruun, win a corner. Here we go...
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32 min: Arsenal come forward again but are caught offside with plenty of players in the box. Frustration for the home fans.
30 min: United have been good without the ball but haven’t really strung many passes together when they’ve won it back. They remain a big danger from set-pieces of course but Arsenal are working their way back into this game now and perhaps an equaliser is coming sooner rather than later.
28 min: A somewhat half-hearted penalty appeal by Arsenal as Heath goes down in the box but nothing doing. The Gunners win another corner which they take short... and then lose possession.
27 min: It’s been a pretty breathless first half but we’re just going through a quiet patch. Russo tries to drive forward but is bundled off the ball.
25 min: Arsenal going a little more direct now as they bid to beat the United press. They win a corner down the right which the visitors deal with comfortably.
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24 min: Lovely lay-off by Nobbs to Miedema on the edge of the box but the Arsenal striker rather skews her left-foot shot well wide of goal.
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23 min: Arsenal lead the possession stats 69%-31% but it’s not easy possession given the amount of pressing United are doing.
22 min: Arsenal’s best moments are coming on the break and they have another opportunity as Heath let’s go from distance, her shot rising narrowly over Earps’ crossbar.
21 min: Corner alert! United have another, again down the right. United form what Glenn Hoddle calls a “love train” and when the bunch split, Galton sends her header over the bar. Another anxious moment for the hosts.
19 min: There was an Opta stat pre-match that said United had scored more goals (5) from corners than any other team this season. Well, make that six. Arsenal were warned but they couldn’t prevent it.
18 min: United still harrying Arsenal in their own half. A real theme of this opening period.
15 min: Not seen much of Miedema yet but wait! She picks the ball up in the left channel, smashes in a goalbound shot from 20 yards but Earps does brilliantly to tip it onto the crossbar which is still shaking 20 seconds later. Fantastic effort. Fantastic save.
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13 min: First corner for Arsenal but Earps claims the catch after the ball is headed up into the air. Replays, meanwhile, suggest a push in the Arsenal box before the corner which United scored from.
11 min: More drama at the Arsenal end. Bruun’s rather weak shot is saved but Galton is quick to the rebound and turns the ball across goal but there’s no blue shirt to prod it home. That could easily have been 2-0.
GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Man Utd (Russo 10)
Yes, they are dangerous from set-pieces. In comes the corner and Russo rises at the back post and heads home. A deserved lead.
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9 min: United still pressing and Maritz gives away a free-kick. Chance to put one in the mixer and the visitors are dangerous from set pieces. Arsenal deal with it but at the expense of a corner.
7 min: First chance of the match and it goes to United. Batlle surges forward and smashes a shot from 20 yards which Zinsberger beats away slightly unconvincingly. The Spanish right-back takes a knock when getting her effort away and requires treatment but she’s okay.
6 min: United goalkeeper Earps causes brief panic with a, let’s say, composed bit of footwork before clearing. Confidence isn’t lacking!
5 min: A bright start by Man Utd. They’re pressing Arsenal at the back and forcing them into errors and rushed clearances.
3 min: Lovely play by Russo down the right wing as she lifts the ball over a defender and fizzes in a cross. Strangely, Galton goes for it with her hand and Arsenal have a free-kick.
2 min: Bruun gets clattered near the halfway line and United have a free-kick which Arsenal clear. United are in their away strip of dark blue shirts and black shorts.
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1 min: Peep peep! After a false start, the two teams take the knee and the visitors get the game in play. Manchester United are wearing black arm bands to commemorate the Munich Air Disaster.
The kick-off is only a few minutes away, and here come the teams on a bright but chilly day at Meadow Park.
Now Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall has his say. He explains Leah Williamson’s absence from the squad. “It’s due to her physical status. It’s minor,” says Eidevall, adding that she hopes the defender is available for the Chelsea game. Is this a massive match? He flat bats it with an “all games in the league are equally important” response.
Man Utd boss Marc Skinner speaks: “We’ve played each other recently and when it’s tight games you have to be at your very best and find little moments. The players that we have in - new signings Bruun (from Lyon) and Caldwell (North Carolina Courage) - will hopefully swing it for us in this game.”
Karen Carney (three league titles), also on the panel, slightly disagrees. She reckons Arsenal’s game at second-placed Chelsea next Friday is the pivotal fixture.
Kelly Smith, who won 20 major trophies with Arsenal including six league titles, is one of the pundits in the Sky Sports studio and describes this as a “must win” game for the Gunners.
United all set...
Ready to get to work 😄⚽️#MUWomen | #FAWSL pic.twitter.com/xiu5HpCydF
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) February 5, 2022
For Manchester United, Ella Toone and Hayley Ladd return after serving suspensions while new signing Signe Bruun gets her first start after coming off the bench in the loss to Chelsea in midweek.
Another new addition, Diane Caldwell, makes her debut.
Alessia Russo, who bagged the winner when these two last met in the League Cup a couple of weeks ago, is also in the United starting XI.
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Arsenal look set to play a 4-2-3-1 with Walti and Little at the base of midfield and Heath, Nobbs and Mead in a three behind Miedema.
Arsenal: Zinsberger, Maritz, Beattie, Catley, McCabe, Walti, Nobbs, Little, Mead, Miedema, Heath.
Subs: Williams, Boye, Souza, Wienroither, Maanum, Foord, Parris, Blackstenius.
Man Utd: Earps, Thorisdottir, Toone, Zelem, Galton, Ladd, Caldwell, Bruun, Batlle, Russo.
Subs: Middleton-Patel, Harris, Boe Risa, Thomas, Fuso, Groenen, Smith, Jones.
Manchester United...
🔹 𝑻𝑬𝑨𝑴 𝑵𝑬𝑾𝑺 🔹
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) February 5, 2022
Presenting your Reds line-up to face Arsenal 🥁#MUWomen | #FAWSL pic.twitter.com/C2u2tXJJp1
Arsenal’s team...
Introducing your starting XI…
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) February 5, 2022
COME ON YOU GUNNERS! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/DYF5pEEyEW
Preamble
A snapshot of the WSL table makes happy reading for Arsenal. They sit top on 29 points from 12 games. That’s four in front of Chelsea although Emma Hayes’ side have a game in hand.
But it’s been far from plain sailing for the Gunners of late and their recent stumbles include a 1-0 home defeat to today’s opposition in the League Cup last month.
Manchester United have also been going well in the WSL and head to Meadow Park in third place. Victory here and they’d move to within two of Arsenal.
Impressively, they’re also unbeaten away from home in the top-flight although their goal-laden recent run of wins in all competitions was ended by a 3-1 League Cup loss at Chelsea on Wednesday evening.
All three outcomes appear on the table so game on!
