Arsenal were unable to break down a Manchester United side reduced to 10 players, recording their fifth draw in 12 league games alongside six wins.With a 10-point gap to Manchester City and only 10 ma...
Arsenal were unable to break down a Manchester United side reduced to 10 players, recording their fifth draw in 12 league games alongside six wins.
With a 10-point gap to Manchester City and only 10 matches remaining, the maths is unforgiving. Arsenal are unlikely to claw back 10 points, even if six might theoretically be possible.
The title, realistically, has gone. Focus must now shift to securing second place and targeting the four remaining trophies still available.
Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images
It was a frustrating afternoon at the Emirates.
A combination of stubborn United defending, excellent goalkeeping from Phallon Tullis-Joyce and a lack of quality in the final third saw Arsenal held scoreless against United for the second time this season. Two 0-0 draws so far, with another meeting looming in the Subway Cup semi-final at Meadow Park on 21 January.
Throughout the game, there was a sense of waiting for Arsenal to step up a gear and find a solution, but it never came. At times, it felt uncomfortably reminiscent of the same issues encountered under Jonas Eidevall when facing low blocks. The underlying numbers tell a clear story. Arsenal posted an expected goals figure of 2.7 to United’s 0.4.
The problem was not chance creation, but efficiency in front of goal.
What stood out most was the lack of penetration through central areas. Arsenal worked the wings effectively, delivering a mix of high and low crosses, but there were too few third-player runs, one-twos or line-breaking movements through the middle. No one consistently attacked the space between the lines. Had Mariona Caldentey been operating higher, at number 10 rather than deeper in a double pivot, that may have helped unlock the defence.
That feeds into an aspect of Renée Slegers’ selection and substitutions I found puzzling. Arsenal made five attacking changes, replacing both wingers, the number 10, introducing an attacking right-back who impressed on her debut, and later swapping a centre-back to add height for set pieces.
Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images
Yet the bench composition raised questions. Slegers named a goalkeeper in Naomi Williams, one striker in Stina Blackstenius, one winger in Caitlin Foord, one multi-position player in Vicky Pelova, and five defenders: Laia Codina, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Taylor Hinds, Smilla Holmberg and Sophie Harwood. In what scenario does a team need three full-backs and two centre-backs on the bench, but no additional midfielder?
It felt like an unnecessary limitation, especially given how the match developed. Had Laila Harbert been included among the substitutes, she could have slotted into the double pivot, allowing Caldentey to move higher, either as a number 10 or off the left. That would have brought her closer to goal and into areas where she could combine more effectively. Harbert reads the game well, keeps the ball moving with short passes, and would have suited an 11 v 10 scenario.
Once again, the difference between one point and three was quality, in the final ball and in finishing. It is a recurring theme against strong opposition. Arsenal create chances, but too often lack the precision required to convert dominance into goals. Improvement is needed, either through sharper execution as a collective or by adding players with better decision-making in the final third.
Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images
Officiating was also a factor. Abigail Byrne allowed far too much to go unpunished. Eve Riviere did enough to warrant yellow cards, and players from both sides could have been booked. Olivia Smith continues to be kicked from pillar to post, much as she was against Liverpool last season, yet opponents are repeatedly allowed to escape sanction.
Why the PGMOL fails to protect her physical integrity remains baffling. It has been happening consistently for two seasons. Referees are at least consistent in their inaction, but the failure to apply Law 12 properly, from amateur football through to the WSL and Premier League, is difficult to understand.
Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images
Next up is Aston Villa at home in the Women’s FA Cup, again at Meadow Park. It will not be straightforward, but Arsenal have a full week to prepare before a run of five games in 13 days. Squad rotation and load management will need to be spot on if they are to stay competitive and keep players fresh enough to perform at the highest level.
Category: General Sports
