Arsenal: Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Cooney-Cross, Little; Mead, Mariona, Foord; Russo
Substitutes: Zinsbeger, Ilestedt, Reid, Nighswonger, Wälti, Pelova, Maanum, Kafaji, Blackstenius
Arsenal are out of the Women’s FA Cup at the quarter-final stage, losing at home to Liverpool 1-0. Renée Sleger’s team put arguably one of the worst performances across the season, with Rachel Laws not forced into a single save, and Arsenal only having 6 shots across the 90 minutes.
Renée Slegers made three changes to her starting lineup, with Kyra Cooney-Cross, Beth Mead, and Caitlin Foord restored to the lineup. Chloe Kelly was cup tied, while Frida Maanum and Lia Wälti dropped to the bench.
Arsenal dominated possession in the early proceedings, but Olivia Smith had the first real effort on 15 minutes. As McCabe backed off, Smith drove into the box and shot, with McCabe getting a block in.
Arsenal won a corner on 27 minutes after Jasmine Matthews sliced a clearance. The ball came to McCabe in the second phase, but she shot well over.
Both teams were struggling to pass the ball well, with Meadow Park’s surface causing difficulty. With the game becoming more about physicality, Liverpool were starting to get on top in general play.
Van Domselaar prevented Liverpool with a golden chance on 44 minutes. She passed straight to Román Haug in the box. Román Haug’s control was slightly heavy, and she couldn’t get purchase on the shot, with Van Domselaar saving.
Arsenal made a substitution at half time, with Frida Maanum replacing Mead, who had taken a knock in the final seconds of the first half.
A neat touch from Maanum sent Foord away down the right, but her cutback for Russo was cut out.
Good pressure from Arsenal allowed Russo to intercept a pass back from Höbinger, but she shot over.
McCabe was booked on 53 minutes for cynically tripping Smith as she countered.
Van Domselaar again played herself into trouble, but she scrambled the ball off Román Haug for a corner that Arsenal were able to deal with.
On 59 minutes, Williamson let a looping ball bounce in the box. Kapocs got in front of Williamson and laid the ball back to Höbinger, who struck the ball well, but Van Domselaar parried the shot away.
At the other end, Catley shot just wide after a corner.
Williamson played a brilliant ball over the top for Maanum, who got between the centre backs and headed towards goal. Laws parried wide, and then the flag went up for offside.
Mariona set Russo away on the left. Russo’s cross was blocked by a black shirt, and the ball came back to Mariona, who blasted over the bar.
Liverpool took the lead on 78 minutes. Höbinger flicked the ball to to Román Haug, who turned and shot. Her shot hit the post and rebounded off Van Domselaar’s back. [0-1](https://streamin.one/v/960d2bf1).
Maanum had a chance to level the score on 81 minutes. A cross came back to her in the penalty box, but she shot straight at Laws.
On 83 minutes, Lia Wälti and Stina Blackstenius replaced Kim Little and Kyra Cooney-Cross.
On 87 minutes Amanda Ilestedt replaced Caitlin Foord, with Ilestedt going upfront.
There was 9 minutes of stoppage time, but Arsenal could not fashion a single chance. Despite having three targets upfront, Arsenal spent far too much time trying to (badly) play out from the back.
There was a final free kick on the half way line, but Arsenal couldn’t do anything with it.