Both Arsenal and Manchester City entered their Women’s Super League (WSL) clash knowing the stakes were high. It was a “win or bust” moment for both teams, with their fading title hopes on the line. The match lived up to the hype, serving up a thrilling seven-goal contest that saw Arsenal claim victory and further dent Manchester City’s domestic ambitions.
City’s fourth defeat in their last six WSL matches highlighted their struggles this season. The match, while exciting, was filled with errors that proved costly for both sides. Arsenal, despite their own mistakes, managed to edge the contest, possibly deserving the win given the flow of chances throughout the game.
The game kicked off with a bang, as Arsenal struck within the first minute. Laia Aleixandri made a costly error, being dispossessed while trying to control a short pass from goalkeeper Khiara Keating. This allowed Mariona Caldentey to take advantage and give Arsenal an early lead. The visitors quickly doubled their advantage seven minutes later. Keating attempted to punch clear a Kyra Cooney-Cross free-kick but misjudged the situation. Lotte Wubben-Moy capitalized, heading the ball into the net to make it 2-0.
Despite the early setbacks, Manchester City responded strongly for the remainder of the first half. Their persistence paid off when Mary Fowler headed in a right-wing cross from Aoba Fujino, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar might feel she could have done better to stop the goal, but City’s pressure kept them in the game.
The second half continued in a similar fashion, with both teams making critical mistakes. Mariona Caldentey, who had already been involved in Arsenal’s early goals, gave away possession on the edge of her own penalty area. Former Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema seized the opportunity, scoring her fifth goal in as many matches to bring City level at 2-2.
Miedema’s goal against her old club briefly lifted City’s hopes, but Arsenal responded almost immediately. Just a minute later, they regained the lead with a fantastic team move. Arsenal sliced through City’s defense, and Frida Maanum finished the attack, putting Arsenal 3-2 ahead. The momentum was firmly with the visitors, who seemed to have weathered City’s challenge.
The match continued to be filled with controversy and mistakes. A penalty was awarded to City when Steph Catley was judged to have fouled Fujino in the box. However, the challenge appeared to have occurred just outside the area, raising questions about the decision. Fowler remained unfazed and converted the penalty to level the score at 3-3.
As the game neared its end, another mistake seemed set to decide the outcome. Keating, City’s goalkeeper, made a rash decision to charge 30 yards out of her goal in an attempt to intercept a long pass. She misjudged the situation, leaving Stina Blackstenius with an open chance to score. However, Blackstenius hesitated, running too wide and failing to capitalize on the opportunity.
The game’s final and decisive goal came moments later, following a series of precise passes. Caldentey made a superb crossfield pass to Beth Mead, who found herself in acres of space. Mead calmly delivered a low cross into the path of Blackstenius, who made no mistake in tucking the ball into the net to seal the win for Arsenal. The goal left City in fourth place, nine points behind Chelsea, who still have a game in hand.
With this victory, Arsenal further distanced themselves from Manchester City in the title race, leaving City to focus on securing European qualification as their domestic ambitions seem all but over. Despite the errors and chaotic nature of the match, Arsenal’s quality and clinical finishing ultimately proved the difference in a thrilling WSL encounter.
