Arsenal Women needed a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser from Smilla Holmberg to rescue a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.
Renée Slegers started Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius together as Arsenal attempted to solve the attacking problems that had contributed to last weekend’s goalless draw with Crystal Palace.
The Gunners again struggled to turn possession and pressure into goals.
Julia Zigiotti punished a defensive mistake to put United ahead before substitute Holmberg finally found the breakthrough deep into stoppage time.
Our full account of the contest can be found in the Arsenal Women 1-1 Manchester United match report.
Here are our Arsenal Women player ratings.
Misa Rodríguez – 6
Had relatively little to do for large periods.
Could not do much once Zigiotti broke clear following Arsenal’s defensive error, with the United midfielder finishing low beyond her.
Her long distribution did help create one of Arsenal’s best first-half openings when a direct ball released Ona Batlle.
Emily Fox – 7
One of Arsenal’s more consistent performers.
Continued making overlapping runs and became increasingly involved once Slegers’ side started chasing the game.
Combined well with Holmberg after the substitute’s introduction and repeatedly helped Arsenal establish pressure down the right.
Leah Williamson – 7.5
Delivered when Arsenal desperately needed something.
Williamson was composed defensively for most of the evening and increasingly stepped forward with the ball as United dropped deeper.
Her best contribution arrived in the 94th minute.
The captain produced an excellent lofted delivery towards the back post for Holmberg to convert the equaliser.
That assist rescues both Arsenal and Williamson’s rating.
Steph Catley – 5.5
A difficult moment for the United goal.
Georgia Stanway’s pass put Catley in trouble and Zigiotti reacted faster, stealing possession before racing clear.
Catley was not solely responsible for the mistake but could not recover once Arsenal had lost the ball.
Otherwise reasonably solid.
Ona Batlle – 7
One of Arsenal’s brightest attacking outlets.
Made several powerful forward runs and created danger down the left.
A particularly good second-half move saw Batlle drive forward before finding Russo inside the area, forcing United into another clearance.
Her willingness to attack gave Arsenal something different before she was sacrificed for Chloe Kelly late on.
Georgia Stanway – 5
The mistake for United’s goal defines the performance.
Stanway attempted a pass towards Catley but left it short enough for Zigiotti to intercept and go clean through.
That was particularly frustrating because there were several good moments around it.
She produced some excellent diagonal passing, including the ball which helped create Blackstenius’ best first-half chance.
Stanway also continued trying to force Arsenal forward after falling behind.
One major error proved extremely costly.
Mariona Caldentey – 5.5
Never really imposed herself.
Arsenal expected Mariona to help unlock United between the lines, but the visitors largely kept her away from the most dangerous central spaces.
She had an opening during the first half without making it count.
Replaced after 58 minutes as Slegers searched for greater urgency.
Olivia Smith – 6.5
One of Arsenal’s more direct attackers before being withdrawn.
Smith consistently looked willing to run at United and was involved in several promising combinations after half-time.
The final action was missing, though.
Slegers replaced her alongside Mariona after 58 minutes.
Alessia Russo – 6.5
Could easily have scored.
Russo was involved throughout and increasingly became Arsenal’s main penalty-box threat as the match developed.
Kim Little found her with a cross shortly after coming on before Russo sent the header wide.
Her biggest chance arrived after 72 minutes when a corner dropped perfectly for her at close range, only for Hanna Sandberg to block the header on the line.
The Guardian’s match coverage highlighted both that opportunity and Russo’s continued involvement during Arsenal’s late pressure.
Lisa Baum – 6.5
Produced one of Arsenal’s best deliveries of the evening.
Her excellent first-half cross found Blackstenius for a powerful header that forced Phallon Tullis-Joyce into a superb save.
Baum was also booked after stopping a United counterattack.
Withdrawn after 70 minutes as Slegers added more attacking players.
Stina Blackstenius – 6.5
Probably Arsenal’s biggest first-half goal threat.
Blackstenius met Baum’s cross with a powerful header immediately before the interval but was denied by an excellent Tullis-Joyce save.
Also linked neatly with Smith after the restart.
The confirmed Arsenal Women lineup had made her partnership with Russo the major selection story.
It showed promise without producing the goal Arsenal needed.
Substitutes
Kim Little – 7
Improved Arsenal after coming on.
Little immediately gave the midfield more control and produced several dangerous passes into the penalty area.
Her late combination with Foord almost created another opening as Arsenal piled on the pressure.
Smilla Holmberg – 8.5
Completely changed the game.
Holmberg immediately attacked United’s left side after replacing Smith and repeatedly drove Arsenal forward.
She created a huge chance for Foord with an excellent early cross, won corners and caused Medina consistent problems.
Then came the decisive moment.
Williamson’s ball reached the far post in the 94th minute and Holmberg smashed home from close range to rescue Arsenal.
The Guardian described her as lively long before the equaliser arrived, with her late impact transforming Arsenal’s attack. Their live report also confirms her goal came four minutes into stoppage time.
An outstanding substitute appearance.
Caitlin Foord – 7
Added much-needed urgency.
Foord almost equalised after Holmberg’s cross found her in space, only for Tullis-Joyce to produce a superb reflex save.
Continued causing problems in the closing stages.
Selina Cerci – 6.5
Gave Arsenal another penalty-box presence after replacing Blackstenius.
Had one late effort from Holmberg’s delivery without seriously troubling Tullis-Joyce and appealed for a stoppage-time penalty.
Useful energy.
Chloe Kelly – 6.5
Only entered for the final ten minutes but immediately looked willing to shoot.
Forced another good save from Tullis-Joyce with a powerful long-range effort after linking with Russo.
Helped Arsenal sustain the late pressure which eventually produced the equaliser.
ReadArsenal Woman of the Match: Smilla Holmberg – 8.5/10
Arsenal Women 1-1 Man Utd: Holmberg rescues dramatic 94th-minute point
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