**Arsenal:** Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona; Mead, Maanum, Smith; Russo
**Substitutes**: Williams (GK), Wubben-Moy, Codina, Foord, Pelova, Hinds, Blackstenius, Holmberg, Harwood
Arsenal have started 2026 by dropping more points at home in the WSL, drawing 0-0 with Manchester United, who were reduced to 10 on 65 minutes. Arsenal controlled most of the proceedings but were very stale and stilted in attack, with quality chances few and far between. The result leaves Arsenal in control of the 3rd and final spot for Champions League qualification, with United a point behind and Tottenham 3 points behind with a game in hand but worse goal difference.
Renée Slegers named Olivia Smith in the starting lineup, while the rest of the team was as expected. Leah Williamson started for the first team in league play this season.
Manchester United had the game’s first chance. Sandberg combined with Park on the left, and Park crossed. Rolfö met the cross an headed powerfully toward goal, but Borbe got a hand to the shot and parried onto the bar.
It took Arsenal a while to get into a rhythm, but after a quarter of an hour, the ball began to stick, and Smith found Mariona on the edge of the box. She shifted her feet but shot over the bar.
On 22 minutes, Russo crossed into the box. Le Tissier didn’t clear properly, the rebound came off Maanum to Smith, whose shot with her outstretched leg lacked the power to get past Tullis-Joyce.
Smith won a corner, and Arsenal went short. Mead and Mariona combined, and Mariona slipped McCabe down the side of the penalty box. She cutback for Little, who shot into the side netting.
On 44 minutes, Maanum had a chance after Arsenal kept possession. Playing out of pressure at the back, Arsenal moved up the pitch and Russo played wide for Mead. She cutback for Maanum, who shot well over the bar.
6 minutes were added on at the end of the first half.
On 49 minutes, Riviere went through the back of Smith on the edge of the box and was booked. McCabe took the free kick and found Catley free at the far post, but she couldn’t make clean contact. Arsenal rest, and McCabe crossed again. The ball was knocked down, Russo collected and shot, but her deflected shot was saved by Tullis-Joyce.
On 53 minutes, Little played a diagonal for Fox, who had briefly got away from Sandberg. The United defender put up a high foot, and was able to prevent Fox from taking the ball down.
Manchester United made a notable change after an hour, as Lea Schüller replaced Elisabeth Terland.
On 63 minutes, Caitlin Foord replaced Smith and Stina Blackstenius replaced Maanum.
Foord’s first impact was to drive inside and get fouled by Riviere, who was given a second yellow card and set off.
Russo somehow didn’t give Arsenal the lead on 70 minutes. Williamson played a long ball, and it bounced around in the 6 yard box. Russo, falling down, shot from close range, but Tullis-Joyce got a hand, and then jumped on the ball.
On 74 minutes, Little found Mead. She crossed along the floor, but Blackstenius’ backheel flick was straight at Tullis-Joyce.
Arsenal made a double change on 83 minutes. Victoria Pelova replaced Mead and Smila Holmberg replaced Fox.
Pelova played into Blackstenius, who turned Janssen, but Janssen blocked the shot.
Foord then shot from the edge of the D but the effort was straight at Tullis-Joyce.
Wubben-Moy replaced Catley on 89 minutes.
Arsenal won a free kick on the edge of the D, in a central position. Mariona took it, and shot into the wall.
7 minutes were added on.
Holmberg drove down the right and played a good cross into the box but Blackstenius’ shot was blocked by Janssen.
On 95 minutes Russo found Pelova. She drove into the box and shot low, but Tullis-Joyce got down and saved.
A loose ball came to Little on the edge of the box and her swerving shot went just wide of the far post, and Manchester United were able to hang on for a point.