We made it seven straight victories in all competitions with a narrow win on the road against Liverpool.
A first-half goal for Alessia Russo, in red-hot form, was enough to take the three points back home to north London in our penultimate fixture of 2024.
WHAT HAPPENED
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Our Gunners lined up looking for four wins on the bounce in the WSL with five changes to the starting XI that beat Valerenga in our midweek UEFA Women's Champions League tie.
With just two days to prepare for the trip to Liverpool, there were a few early signs of fatigue as the hosts burst out of the gate with intensity. We weathered the early storm of pressure and settled into a more comfortable rhythm.
Kyra Cooney-Cross, bringing composure and vision in midfield, switched play with a perfect cross-field pass to Beth Mead but the opportunity came to nothing.
It wouldn't take long for us to find a breakthrough, however, as Alessia Russo put us ahead with her fifth consecutive goal in the Women’s Super League. Katie McCabe drilled a low corner to the near post and the ball snuck through all the way to our number 23.
Some slick passing earned us a penalty shortly after as Gemma Bonner’s loose leg tripped Russo in the box. Mariona Caldentey stepped up to take the spot kick but was cruelly denied by the inside of the post.
Undeterred and looking to build on our lead, we continued to dominate the Liverpool final third and Russo came close to a brace, missing a header by a hair’s breadth.
As the half-time whistle drew closer, the Reds upped the intensity once more as they fought for a way back into the tie. Katie McCabe's headed clearance came close to trickling into her own net, but the danger was averted by Daphne van Domselaar.
Back out for the second half and looking to consolidate the lead, captain Kim Little was introduced from the bench and brought her characteristic skill to the fray.
Some fine defensive work from Leah Williamson started a counter-attack early on in the second half. Russo held the ball up well and her cutback to Frida Maanum was unfortunately struck over the bar.
A series of corners in quick succession provided opportunities to test Teagan Micah in the Liverpool goal, but both McCabe and Williamson's efforts were unsuccessful.
With our narrow lead continuing into the final ten minutes, the match tightened up but our squad stood firm to secure the victory.
WHAT IT MEANS
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With Chelsea and Manchester City both dropping points at the weekend, we closed the gap on the top two in the WSL table.
Our final fixture of 2024 is on Wednesday as we host Bayern Munich in the UEFA Women's Champions League, looking to pip the German side to top spot in the group.
TEAM NEWS
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Arsenal starting XI: Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson (C), Catley, Mariona (Wubben-Moy, 90), Mead (Blackstenius, 58), McCabe, Maanum (Little, 58), Foord (Hurtig, 76), Russo, Cooney-Cross
Substitutes: Zinsberger, Codina, Wienroither, Kafaji
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