Arsenal: Zinsberger; Fox (Catley 63′), Williamson, Codina, McCabe (Wienroither 82′); Pelova, Cooney-Cross (Blackstenius 63′); Mead, Maanum (Little HT), Lacasse (Foord 63′); Russo
Substitutes: D’Angelo, Catley, Little, Foord, Blackstenius, Wienroither, Goldie, Agyemang, Reid
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Arsenal have beaten Manchester City in Manchester for the first time since 2017, after two late Stina Blackstenius goals. The win temporarily puts Arsenal second, with Chelsea to play later today.
Jonas Eidevall made four changes to the team that drew at Everton, with Laia Codina, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Frida Maanum, and Cloé Lacasse coming into the side. Steph Catley, Kim Little, Caitlin Foord and Stina Blackstenius dropped out of the side.
First Half
Manchester City started the stronger of the two teams, with Ouhabi having a decent half chance inside five minutes. Arsenal, though, would create a good chance of their own on 13 minutes. Pelova slipped the ball for Frida Maanum, whose first time shot was beaten away by Khiara Keating.
Manchester City took the lead on 17 minutes through Lauren Hemp. City moved the ball from side to side, with Fowler crossing. Fox headed the ball away, but Ouhabi picked up the clearance, passed back to Hemp who shifted past Maanum and arrowed her shot into the far corner (US).
City continued to dominate possession and control the game. While not creating any clear cut chances for a second goal, the way City were moving the ball in the final third had Arsenal very much on the back foot.
City should’ve doubled their lead on 38 minutes. Hemp and Jess Park played a one-two on the left, and Park continued her run before finding Chloe Kelly in the middle, whose shot was tame and straight at Zinsberger.
Arsenal slowly began having more of the ball in the final third, and on the stroke of half time, had a five on four in the City half. Russo, though, rashly shot, got the ball again, and then saw her pass deflected as she looked for Mead, who then had a cross blocked, and the attack came to an end.
Second Half
At half time, Kim Little replaced Frida Maanum.
Arsenal should’ve equalized a minute into the half. After a corner was cleared, Arsenal kept possession, and Mead crossed from the left. The ball bounced off of Leah Williamson and fell to Laia Codina in front of goal, but her shot went wide of the post.
At the other end, Zinsberger’s foot denied Fowler from immediately punishing Arsenal for the miss.
Cloé Lacasse was booked in the 51st minute.
Arsenal made a triple substitution on 62 minutes. Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, and Stina Blackstenius came on for Fox, Lacasse, and Cooney-Cross, who was impressive in central midfield. The resulting move saw McCabe move to right back, Russo drop to the number 10 position–Arsenal’s third 10 of the day–and Little dropping deeper into central midfield.
Mead intercepted Keating’s pass from the back. Despite having time and space, Mead shot from the edge of the area straight at Keating.
Zinsberger would then emulate Keating by giving the ball away to a City player, but Pelova would won the ball back and prevent a shot.
McCabe played over the top, and Ouhabi’s header put the ball into Blackstenius’ path, but from the right hand corner of the box she blasted her shot over Keating’s goal.
Foord should’ve equalized on 78 minutes. Blackstenius and Pelova won the ball back, Blackstenius drove forward and then slipped Foord in, but she shot into the side netting as Keating advanced. Arsenal, though, were beginning to control the game.
On 82 minutes, Laura Wienroither replaced Katie McCabe.
Mead beat Ouhabi and sent a dangerous cross across the 6 yard box, but no Arsenal player could meet it, as Arsenal continued to push for an equalising goal.
In the 89th minute, Arsenal would get the equalising goal their second performance deserved. Mead’s corner wasn’t cleared, and after three headers, Foord won a header and Blackstenius stuck an outstretched leg to poke the ball into the net to make it 1-1 (US).
There would be 9 minutes of stoppage time, and Arsenal continued to dictate the game, and three minutes into additonal time, Blackstenius would score again! Little played a brilliant diagonal pass, and Blackstenius ran off of Greenwood and guided her header into the far corner to make it 2-1 (US).
Park would have a chance in the final minute of stoppage time. Codina headed Keating’s free kick away, but only to Park, who from the edge of the box shot well over.
I like how the team immediately retreated to their half for the restart after the equalizer. Almost like they knew something better was in the offing. Champions League secured, no hope of winning the title, and yet they want to fight to the very end; makes me very hopeful for the future.
Excellent win ladies!
I was all set to post that they could have been playing for 6 hours but still not scored then bugger me a brace from Stina right at the death!
What do I know hey 😉
I just hope City don’t now collapse and hand that dreadful woman Emma Hayes another title. I am enjoying the thought of her winning bugger all this season!
Happy, happy, happy 😁
Tim, are you going to do one of your picture analyses for this match? (Please say yes😀)
I was able to watch the 2nd half. But for being wasteful in front of goal, this could have been a rout given how relentless Arsenal were. Great response to being down after a half!
And those two Blackstenius goals were things of beauty. Well done, ladies!
I think Stina read my post that said that Meado was our best finisher! 🙂
Only the second league loss at home for City this season, and the first since November. They’ve been free scoring and gaining strong momentum, it’s a really good result. Beginning to see the value of a strong squad by being able to bring on fresh, quality players, plus winning up there without the likes of Lia, Viv, Lotte and Amanda. —- Only irritation is the ongoing poor punditry from the BBC. Robin Cowen can be a refreshingly good commentator but her early ‘this is a game where we’ll expect the majority of the possession to be with City’ was an… Read more »