Arsenal Women 1 – 1 Man United Women
Stina Blackstenius’ strike sealed Arsenal a draw against Man Utd despite the WSL leaders having to play the last 15 minutes with 10 players after Katie McCabe’s red.
The visitors lead early through Alessia Russo’s bouncing header and had further chances to extend their advantage, before McCabe saw red for two bookable offences.
However, Marc Skinner’s side were made to pay for those missed opportunities when Vivianne Miedema’s brilliant through ball opened up the visitors’ defence, with Blackstenius keeping her cool to earn the hosts a valuable draw.
Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius celebrates scoring their equaliser
Jonas Eidevall’s team arrived at Meadow Park having lost just once in the league all season long – a shock defeat at Birmingham – but soon found themselves trailing as Russo’s far-post header from a disputed corner somehow made its way past Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger 10 minutes in for her seventh goal of the season, including five in the WSL.
Miedema came close to levelling minutes later, only for Mary Earps to somehow touch her fearsome strike onto the bar as United lead at the break, with their goal scorer Russo then on hand to clear Jennifer Beattie’s close-range shot off the line at the start of the second half.
Alessia Russo puts Man Utd ahead against Arsenal
However, despite McCabe picking up two needless cautions in less 20 second-half minutes, Arsenal actually finished the stronger of the two sides and drew level after brilliant play by Miedema.
The Sweden international picked up possession deep inside her own half, before splitting open United’s defence with an inch-perfect through ball, with Blackstenius – on a second-half substitute – faced with just the advancing Earps to beat, finishing expertly.
As a result, Arsenal have now moved five points clear of Chelsea in second, although the champions do now have two games in hand on their London rivals.
What the managers said…
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Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall gives his reaction after seeing his side draw with Manchester United.
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Manchester United’s Marc Skinner said that he has ‘nothing but admiration’ for his team after drawing with Arsenal.
What’s next?
Arsenal travel to Chelsea on Friday night (7.45pm) in a game you can see live on Sky Sports Premier League, while United visit arch-rivals Man City a week on Sunday (12.30pm)
Friday 11th February 7:00pm
Kick off 7:45pm
