On Thursday, Renee Slegers penned a new long-term contract with Arsenal and, speaking to the club, insisted that “moving forward is what drives me.”
At the Emirates Stadium on Saturday lunchtime, the Gunners worked relentlessly and looked levels above their opponents, but a winner proved elusive.
In a fixture that had seen 16 goals in its last three instalments, Arsenal can hold their heads high, having kept a clean sheet, their third in a row in all competitions, but their lack of killer instinct was not something to be fond of.
A special atmosphere came within millimetres of being shattered in the fifth minute, when Jess Park’s cross found the head of Fridolina Rolfo, who directed the ball goal-ward from point-blank range.
Anneke Borbe reacted instinctively, however, palming the effort onto the crossbar, before Olivia Smith beat Melvine Malard to the loose ball to clear the threat.
But Arsenal were quick to find their feet after a lapse in focus from the off, and exerted immense pressure on the visitors for the entirety of the first half.
Despite their control, an opener was not forthcoming for Slegers’ side.
Alessia Russo directed a pass towards the edge of the six-yard box in the 22nd minute, where Frida Maanum flicked it on to Olivia Smith.
The Gunners’ record signing got a toe to it, but the poke was straight towards a charging Phallon Tullis-Joyce who, after a brief scramble, claimed possession.
In the 32nd minute, the intense battle on the pitch became secondary for a minute, as a poignant moment gripped the Emirates.
The applause was in support of Kyrs Cooney-Cross’ mum, Jess, who it was revealed in the week has been diagnosed with a terminal and aggressive form of cancer.
A Frida Maanum free-kick at the death was met by Steph Catley at the back post, but the Aussie struggled to control her effort, allowing the visitors to scramble clear and enter the half-time break level.
The second half told a similar tale; one of Arsenal dominance, met by strong, though at times desperate defending from the Red Devils, which shut the hosts out.
United’s task was made harder in the 65th minute, however, when Jayde Riviere was shown a second yellow card, reducing Marc Skinner’s side to ten for the final 25 minutes.
But, in truth, losing Riviere had little impact on the game. Hanna Lundkvist was substituted on for her debut, in place of Simi Awujo, and losing a more advanced player for a defender cannot really limit a side who showed a little attacking threat as United.
The afternoon’s biggest cheer came in the 83rd minute, as Smilla Holmberg was introduced from the bench for her Arsenal debut, five days after the Gunners confirmed the Swede’s arrival from Hammarby IF.
A torrent of pressure at the death, somehow more intense than before, had the whole stadium anticipating a late Arsenal winner, but it never arrived.
Instead, Tullis-Joyce delivered a goalkeeping masterclass, making save after save to shut the Gunners, out, frustrating the Emirates as United headed home with a well-fought point.
As referee Abigail Byrne sounded the full-time whistle, the Gunners’ strong performance had lacked one crucial element, a decisive goal.
The result sees Arsenal remain third, just a single place and point above the Red Devils, though Chelsea can extend the gap to second to four points with a win over West Ham on Sunday.