It was United who started brightest, with Melvine Malard the recipient of a good chance inside the opening minute, but Arsenal would grow into the game, and as their pressing started to trouble the Red Devils, opportunities arose. That said, there was a lack of clear-cut opportunites throughout the 90 minutes and the Gunners didn’t test opposing goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce enough, with it often from the edge of the box or an unfavourable angle that the looks at goal came.
Even those half-chances dried up in the second period, despite Slegers being able to throw on the likes of Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead from a star-studded bench. There were positives at the other end of the pitch, though, with United themselves limited to few big moments as 18-year-old Katie Reid continued to look incredibly promising in the heart of defence alongside the experienced Steph Catley, whose fantastic block to deny Malard proved crucial in the end as the Gunners were at least able to keep their first clean sheet of the new campaign.
BALLGM rates Arsenal’s players from Leigh Sports Village…
It was United who started brightest, with Melvine Malard the recipient of a good chance inside the opening minute, but Arsenal would grow into the game, and as their pressing started to trouble the Red Devils, opportunities arose. That said, there was a lack of clear-cut opportunites throughout the 90 minutes and the Gunners didn’t test opposing goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce enough, with it often from the edge of the box or an unfavourable angle that the looks at goal came.
Even those half-chances dried up in the second period, despite Slegers being able to throw on the likes of Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead from a star-studded bench. There were positives at the other end of the pitch, though, with United themselves limited to few big moments as 18-year-old Katie Reid continued to look incredibly promising in the heart of defence alongside the experienced Steph Catley, whose fantastic block to deny Malard proved crucial in the end as the Gunners were at least able to keep their first clean sheet of the new campaign.
BALLGM rates Arsenal’s players from Leigh Sports Village…
Daphne van Domselaar (5/10):
Had a few iffy moments, most notably spilling a cross from Bizet. Recovered well to block Park’s follow-up, though.
Emily Fox (5/10):
Got up and down her wing well and beefed up the midfield when needed, too, though lacked her usual cutting edge.
Katie Reid (7/10):
Another wonderfully composed and assured performance from the 18-year-old. Showed great awareness throughout and always positioned herself well.
Steph Catley (6/10):
Worked in tandem with Reid well and mopped up where needed.
Katie McCabe (5/10):
Wasn’t as sharp as usual here, with a few loose touches and passes throughout the first half.
Kim Little (7/10):
Battled brilliantly in the middle to recover plenty of loose balls and win most of her duels. Tidy as ever in possession, too.
Mariona Caldentey (6/10):
A little sloppy at times to start but her influence on the game grew and she was soon able to pull strings a little more, albeit not as much as usual.
Alessia Russo (5/10):
Linked well play and had one decent look at goal in the first half, but was otherwise unable to really cause problems.
Olivia Smith (6/10):
A lively performer down the right in the first half especially, striking the crossbar early in the game with a great effort.
Stina Blackstenius (5/10):
Didn’t give United as much trouble as she often can, with the hosts quite comfortably dealing with her threat.
Caitlin Foord (6/10):
Always willing to run at her marker and that created some of Arsenal’s best openings, be they for others and herself. Went very close with a strike at the end of the first half.
Frida Maanum (5/10):
Was loose in possession, though threatening when she could get on the ball and drive at the United defence.
Chloe Kelly (5/10):
Struggled to make a significant impact, with runs at the United back line rarely fruitful.
Taylor Hinds (6/10):
Looked assured and confident on the ball after replacing McCabe with half an hour to play.
Beth Mead (N/A):
Only on for the final 10 minutes or so.
Renee Slegers (7/10):
Gave United a different look by deploying Russo behind Blackstenius but it didn’t have the effect it so often does, with neither getting much of a look at goal other than a one-on-one for Russo from an angle. Half-time came at the wrong time for her side, who were having real success with their pressing as it approached, and while she made subs with half an hour to go, they couldn’t quite find a breakthrough either.
