14.D’Angelo; 2.Fox, 6.Williamson(c), 3.Wubben-Moy, 15.McCabe; 21.Pelova, 32.Cooney-Cross; 9.Mead, 12.Maanum, 19.Foord; 23.Russo.
Subs: 1.Zinsberger, 7.Catley, 10.Little, 13.Walti, 24.Lacasse, 25.Blackstenius, 27.Codina, 28.Ilestedt, 40.Williams
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A week after seeing their league title chances take a huge hit, Arsenal are now out of the FA Women’s Cup after losing 1-0 at home to Manchester City in the fifth round.
First Half
The match started at a very high tempo, with both sides sacrificing some of their usual patience in possession for more directness.
The first effort on goal came on a quick transition moment. From a throw in, Frida Maanum broke through the midfield and passed wide to Foord, who drove towards goal, and then shot from the edge of the box, with Keating having a comfortable save.
City began to exert a bit more control, constructing a number of moves with long sequences of passes. Arsenal, though, were able to prevent City from creating good crossing situations or openings, meaning that at half time the one shot on target was Foord’s.
Second Half
Sabrina D’Angelo was finally tested, with Shaw shooting from range along the ground. Arsenal then responded: Pelova got around Coombs, drove to the edge of the box and then shot wide of Kheating’s far post as both sides increased their attacking intensity.
Foord then drove into the box, beat Casparij, but Hasegawa intervened and put the ball behind as Foord collided with Kheating.
City then won a corner of their own. Kelly’s delivery met Shaw, and her goal bound header was saved by a leaping D’Angelo. From the ensuing corner, D’Angelo came but couldn’t get the cross, with Williamson clearing Shaw’s effort off the line.
With 65 minutes gone, Eidevall made a double change. Stina Blackstenius replaced Alessia Russo, and Steph Catley replaced Katie McCabe. Manchester City made a change of their own, with Mary Fowler replacing Bunny Shaw.
After Blackstenius’ cross was cleared to the edge of the area, Mead shot, with the effort straight at Kheating.
Manchester City then took the lead. Kelly won a free kick. From the free kick, the ball was delivered into the box. Catley couldn’t clear, deflecting the ball straight into the path of Aleixandri, who finished first time.
Eidevall made a double change after the goal. Laia Codina replaced Leah Williamson, and Lia Wälti came on for Kyra Cooney-Cross.
With the match into the final 10 minutes, Eidevall made his final change, with Kim Little replacing Frida Maanum.
Emily Fox went close to equalising. Codina’s pass found her on the inside right channel, Fox drove in, and her shot went through Greenwood’s legs and just wide of the far post.
Blackstenius then met Catley’s excellent cross, but could only head straight at Kheating as the match entered 6 minutes of stoppage time.
Kheating then made a superb save. Fox cross, Pelova met the cross, and her looping header was going in until Kheating was able to claw the ball behind for a corner.
Kheating then made another fantastic save. Mead knocked down D’Angelo’s long ball for Little, whose strike was punched over. Arsenal then thought Kheating carried the ball over the goal line. The corner was parried by Kheating, and it looked to have crossed the line, but with no goal line technology, the goal wasn’t given. Wälti was then able to slip Catley in, but her cross was poor, and as it was cleared away, the final whistle blew.
I don’t think we have improved since Joe left. We have all these great players now and a full squad but seem to be getting slowly worse 🙁
We are the Man Utd of women’s football
I’d really like to hear what does Jonas train them. What does he teach them? I don’t doubt the quality of our players. I doubt the manager is bringing out the best out of them. We play like we don’t train together. I don’t see two players connected and knowing what the other one would/will do.
So much money spent on contracts to Jonas and players and what do us fans have to show for it? A conti cup in 5 years? Have we progressed at all from Joe? I honestly have no idea what to say about that game other than we could now lose LWM for 3 games if the FA take a look at what she did in the box to Shaw. Is Mead healthy? Why was Wally not starting? McCabe hooked after an hour and lucky not to get carded. Is D’Angelo better than Manu? Has our failure to bring in a… Read more »
Why does the league/federation even play the Conti Cup? The FA Cup is more prestigious, and seems enough, and on top of the two tourneys you’ve got all the league games plus all the international qualifying games most of the players play in for the Euro, World Cup AND Olympics is insane. Too many games.
Arsenal Women’s season is becoming a tale of missed chances.
I shoudn’t have bought a final ticket in mid-september!
I admire your optimism! Go anyway I’m sure it’ll be a good match it’s just we won’t be in it!
We now have the strongest lineup in the league. Jonas has the players he’s wanted. If he can’t get a tune out of this group, it’s on him.