Manchester United Women vs Arsenal Women. Women's Super League.
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Report as Arsenal Women were held to a draw against Manchester United Women thanks to Melvine Malard's late equaliser; Alessia Russo opened the scoring against her former side; Renee Slegers drops points for the first time as interim Arsenal boss
Monday 4 November 2024 07:40, UK
Arsenal Women were held to a draw against Manchester United Women thanks to Melvine Malard's late equaliser after Alessia Russo opened the scoring against her former side.
Arsenal were the better side throughout the first half but lacked a cutting edge in the final third as Russo, Frida Leonhardsen-Maanum and Caitlin Foord all came close to breaking the deadlock.
Former United striker Russo tested Phallon Tullis-Joyce after the interval with a looping header before Lia Walti also threatened from distance - but the search for the opener continued for Slegers' side.
The visitors would eventually find their opener through Russo after Emily Fox raced into the box before cutting the ball back to her striker, who tucked the shot away with ease.
It was her first league goal of the season but the celebrations were muted against her former side as she wheeled away before getting swarmed by her teammates.
The Gunners looked to be cruising to victory until two of Marc Skinner's substitutes in Malard and Rachel Williams linked up to equalise from a corner.
The latter rose highest to meet the cross before Malard flicked the ball past Daphne van Domselaar just before the Arsenal keeper could clear the danger.
Arsenal pushed to take the lead again but were ultimately forced to settle for a draw, ensuring Slegers dropped points for the first time as interim boss.
Manchester United boss Marc Skinner, speaking to the BBC:
"I just felt that we could have been braver to turn. I think we needed to beat their press. We needed to change and introduce energy.
"Arsenal have invested for many years - have lots and lots of history. We're chasing that. We know that. But these games are tight. I'm happy with it. I'm happy with the fact we've come out with a point.
"I wouldn't say it's negative. It's positive. We should be learning. The increased physicality in this league is incredible. You need to maintain it and match it.
"The people that are above us, the people on the ground, we're really ambitious and we want to win things. That's what we're here to do. But it feels good."
Interim Arsenal boss Renee Slegers, speaking to the BBC:
"I'm very happy with the performance and the way the girls wanted to attack the game.
"You know against the top teams it will be important to win. That's why the disappointment is so big.
"We did a lot of things well. Performance-wise there was a lot of positives but then again, the disappointment was only [gaining] one point.
"We are getting closer to converting more [shots]. It's just about how we time our runs, the detail on the final pass, how many numbers we have in the box… we're one step further.
"It is frustrating but we know Manchester United are a very good team with good individuals. It is about small margins and the details."
