Manchester United held Arsenal to an entertaining scoreless draw on Saturday after United had Jade Riviere dismissed in the second half.
Arsenal had welcomed Manchester United to the Emirates for the first match of the new year in the Barclays Women’s Super League. Ahead of kick off these two sat third and fourth in the table with only one point separating the sides. Both knew that victory on the day for either side could see them rise as high as second even if only for a day. In the past three seasons when Arsenal and Manchester United have met at the Emirates there has been goals with at least four goals in each encounter
The Gunners were boosted by the news on Friday that Renée Slegers had signed a contract extension as head coach which would run up until 2029. That news was coupled with the announcement that former England striker Jodie Taylor would become the new Technical Director of the women’s side.
As for team news, Arsenal were able to start Leah Williamson and Steph Catley at centre back for the first time since they started together on that fateful summer afternoon in Lisbon last year. Anneke Borbe continued between the sticks for Arsenal with Daphne van Domselaar still missing through injury, though, according to Slegers nearing a return. Arsenal were also missing Kyra Cooney-Cross who travelled back to Australia during the week for personal reasons. New signing Smilla Holmberg started on the bench, that news was coupled with the announcement this morning that Jenna Nighswonger was headed out on loan for the rest of the season at Aston Villa.
As for Manchester United they made only one change from their last WSL fixture. United are set to miss the taliswomanic presence of Ella Toone for the next couple of weeks, the Lionesses star was ruled out of this one with a bone stress complaint. In her place came Fridolino Rolfö who came off the bench to score twice in United’s last WSL encounter to rescue a 3-3 draw with Spurs. Lea Schüller, who signed from Bayern Munich this window was joined by Hannah Lundkvist formerly of San Diego Wave on the bench.
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The Lineups
ARS: Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona, Maanum; Smith, Mead, Russo
MUN: Tullis-Joyce; Sandberg, Le Tissier, Janssen, Riviere; Zigiotti, Miyazawa, Park; Rolfö, Malard, Terland
The Action
In the midwinter North London chill, fans inside the Emirates were not alone in struggling to warm up. It was the visitors from the North of England that were the first side to test either goalkeeper. With Jess Park probing and operating in the spaces usually filled by Ella Toone. Manchester United duo, Park and Anna Sandberg combined with a one-two into the Arsenal box. The chipped cross was sublime from Park and it was met by the head of Rolfö. That forced Borbe into an excellent instinctive stop tipping the ball onto the crossbar before the Gunners defence scrambled to clear it.
Arsenal had their first real effort shortly after with quick footwork on the edge of the box from Mariona Caldentey freeing up space. However the Spaniard’s effort flew comfortably over the bar. Arsenal were beginning to find their groove with twenty minutes gone as Manchester United stood off them. Alessia Russo found space out wide and drilled the ball into the box, it ricocheted off Frida Maanum into the path of Olivia Smith. Smith connected with the effort but Phallon Tullis-Joyce did well to smother her effort. With a quarter of the match gone, Beth Mead combined with Caldentey who found the run of Katie McCabe darting into the box. McCabe found Little free in the box but the midfielder’s clipped effort only found the side netting.
Good positioning from Mead found her in space on the right wing and with Sandberg unable to stretch for an interception Mead was in behind. Mead cut the ball back to Maanum who lofted the ball harmlessly over the bar. Arsenal ended the half strong with a number of McCabe deliveries causing problems for Manchester United. The first found Catley in space at the back post but she failed to make any meaningful connection with the ball. The second dropped to Russo who could only sting the palms of Tullis-Joyce.
After the whistle blew to start the second half Arsenal started the brighter. Caldentey slipped a ball through to Maanum whose effort was well blocked. Arsenal had a penalty shout shortly after when Smith appeared to get to a second ball before Maya Le Tissier. However replays demonstrated Le Tissier’s innocence with little contact made. Shortly after United would be penalised for a poor challenge, this time Jayde Riviere, already on a yellow card after a late challenge on Smith, she received a second yellow. Caitlin Foord did exceptionally well to draw the foul and the second yellow card from the United right back.
Arsenal again came close after the ball fell to Russo in the box, however a magnificent save with her feet from Tullis-Joyce prevented the goal. Arsenal were getting closer but they continued to be met with an impasse from the United States number one. This time a black heel flick from Blackstenius was stopped by Tullis-Joyce. Arsenal pushed hard for a winner but were largely restricted to efforts from outside the box which for the most part were lifted over the bar.
The seven minutes offered up by the fourth official was music to the ears of the home support. Slegers’ side plunged forward in attack throwing everything at their opponents. Victoria Pelova had the best effort to try and break the deadlock but Tullis-Joyce made another great save. Arsenal were unable to nick a winner against Manchester United in the end.
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Arsenal Player Ratings
GK: Anneke Borbe – 7.5/10 – Made a sensational point blank save from Rolfö within the first five minutes. Has grown in confidence since first deputising in goal for Arsenal and had little else to do.
RB: Emily Fox – 8/10 – Almost played Alessia Russo through on goal early on with an inventive outside of the boot pass. Got up in support of Mead in attack often to good effect. Made a vital interception late on to halt a Manchester United counter.
RCB: Leah Williamson – 8/10 – Tried to find Russo in space in behind to no avail in the first half but her long balls helped provide Arsenal a dynamic they have been missing. Her 11 accurate long balls were a match leading total. She helps balance this Arsenal side. Did look tired after her first full 90 in a long time, giving the ball away cheaply late on.
LCB: Steph Catley – 7/10 – Looked comfortable back in defence with the returning Williamson.
LB: Katie McCabe – 8/10 – Made a couple of dangerous deliveries into the United box from the far side, causing a measure of chaos in the box. Elite level dead ball delivery from the Irish left back today. The only Arsenal player to make an accurate cross in the first half and she made three. Had a match leading total of three key passes. The only downside was in a defensive sense as she was beaten by Malard and Park far too easily at times.
CM: Kim Little – 7.5/10 – Found herself in pockets of space at times, should have opened the scoring when set up by McCabe in the first half. Came close with an effort from outside the box late on.
CM: Mariona Caldentey – 8.5/10 – Took Arsenal’s first real effort in anger despite the ball flying over the bar. A conductor in midfield, when Arsenal gained control in the first half it was Caldentey who set the tempo. By the 30th minute mark she had 44 touches over ten more than the next most. Won ten of her 12 duels.
CAM: Frida Maanum – 7/10 – Never afraid to unleash a shot from distance on goal. Found space in the pocket at times despite the watchful eyes of Zigiotti Olme and Hinata Miyazawa, was not clinical enough in front of goal.
RW: Beth Mead – 7.5/10 – Made a couple of exceptional defensive interventions early on when momentum was with the visitors. Set up Maanum for a good chance late in the first half.
LW: Olivia Smith – 8/10 – Made the most key passes of any player in the first half. Was a livewire and gave Riviere a torrid afternoon.
ST: Alessia Russo – 7/10 – Always a tireless runner, whipped an inviting ball into the middle to create one of Arsenal’s best chances of the opening half. Had a few efforts on goal but they always felt like half chances at best.
SUBS
Caitlin Foord (63′ Smith) – 7/10 – Drew the challenge from a tired Riviere expertly which resulted in the premature end of the Canadian’s afternoon.
Stina Blackstenius – (63′ Maanum) – 6.5/10 – An inventive backheeled effort from a Mead cross came close. Did not have quite the desired effect on the match as she would have liked.
Victoria Pelova (83′ Mead) – 7.5/10 – Had a lovely flick on the edge of the box to help Arsenal escape on the counter. Missed an excellent chance late on after a great save by Tullis-Joyce. Made two accurate crosses while only having seven minutes of normal time on the pitch
Smilla Holmberg – (83′ Fox) – 7.5/10 – An impressive first showing in Arsenal colours. Made an excellent darting run to get the crowd on their feet in added time but Blackstenius could not get the adequate purchase on her effort after being found by her compatriot.
Lotte Wubben-Moy (87′ Catley) – N/A –
Manchester United Player Ratings
GK: Tullis-Joyce – 8.5/10 – The United keeper made an excellent early save down to the feet of Olivia Smith. A confident presence at the back and kept Arsenal at arms length. Plucked a couple of crosses out of the air with ease.
RB: Jayde Riviere – 4.5/10 – Struggled in dealing with the dynamism of her compatriot Smith at times in the first half, a poor challenge on Smith in added time of the first 45 was indicative of a frustrating half. Not helped out by the management team after being on a yellow and having to defend against both Smith and a fresh legged Foord. Sent off after a poor challenge on the Australian.
RCB: Maya Le Tissier – 8.5/10 – Her heart would have been in her mouth when Olivia Smith hit the deck in the box but overall she did well. Alongside her centre back partner she had the most defensive contributions in the match with an astounding 22.
LCB: Dominique Janssen – 8.5/10 – A steadfast defensive effort against her former club, herself and Le Tissier standing up to the adversity when their side was a player down.
LB: Anna Sandberg – 7.5/10 – A brilliant start to the match, seemed confident when marking Mead in an intriguing battle. She was caught out a couple of times by Mead’s positioning. Combined excellently with the floating Park at times.
CDM: Hinata Miyazawa – 7/10 – A quiet but effective game at the base of midfield for the Japanese midfielder.
CM: Julia Zigiotti Olme – 8/10 – Was lucky to escape an early booking after a late challenge on Catley. Won the joint most duels of any player on the pitch with 10.
CAM: Jess Park – 7.5/10 – Enjoyed playing more centrally in the early exchanges, the change of starting position took Arsenal a while to adapt to. As United got deeper her influence naturally dwindled.
RW: Melvine Malard – 6.5/10 – Had the better of McCabe at times when running directly at the Arsenal left back, failed to make much of that ability.
LW: Fridolina Rolfö – 6/10 – A player on form and should have put her side ahead within five minutes. She was quiet after that.
ST: Elisabeth Terland – 5.5/10 – Was ineffective up front and provided precious little to concern the Arsenal back line.
SUBS
Simi Awujo (60′ Rolfö) – N/A – Was only on the pitch for 11 minutes before being withdrawn for tactical reasons due to the red card.
Lea Schüller (60′ Terland) – 6/10 – Making your debut off the bench away at Arsenal is no easy task. Once United went down to ten players she had a lonesome time up front.
Hannah Lundkvist – (71′ Awujo) – 7.5/10 – Demonstrated some excellent skill when coming in off the bench. Should have come on earlier with Riviere on a yellow. Dug in well on her debut.
Lisa Naalsund – (83′ Park) – N/A –
The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Phallon Tullis-Joyce
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