- Arsenal Women conceded late equalizer against Manchester United
- Alessia Russo put Arsenal ahead but Melvine Malard counterattacked for United
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Jonas Eidevall may no longer be Arsenal’s head coach, but the problems his team faced during his reign continue to persist.
This was a painfully familiar story of abundant possession and opportunity, but little to show for it.
It looked like they had finally taken advantage of their dominance when Alessia Russo put them ahead in the 63rd minute. But another of Arsenal’s flaws – conceding weak goals – saw United equalize through substitute Melvine Malard.
Before that tie, statistics showed that Arsenal had taken 17 shots to United’s three and had had 43 touches in their opponents’ box compared to United’s four in their own.
At full time, Arsenal had taken 19 shots and 49 touches in the box compared to United’s six shots and 10 touches.
Alessia Russo put Arsenal Women ahead, but Manchester United limited them to a tie
Russo celebrates with her teammates Sunday’s goal against her former club
Melvine Malard scored the equalizer for Manchester United Women in the 82nd minute.
That has been the story of Arsenal’s season so far and they won’t win anything unless they start converting their possession into goals.
“That’s why the disappointment is so great today,” interim manager Renee Slegers said of Arsenal’s failure to take advantage of their opportunities. ‘Performance-wise, there are many positives. “We are about to convert more.”
United remain unbeaten but know they will need to play better if they are to stay in contention for the rest of the campaign. This was their biggest test of the season so far and they failed to give a record crowd of 8,348 at Leigh Sports Village much to be excited about.
“We weren’t at our best today,” admitted United manager Marc Skinner. ‘I felt like we held on, we held firm, and then you take advantage of that luck. It wasn’t a pretty football game. “I’m happy to have got a point.”
The best soccer play came when Russo opened the scoring against her former club, converting an Emily Fox cutback with a first-time finish.
It was the striker’s first league goal of the season and it looked like it would be enough to give Arsenal the victory.
But United equalized through a set piece in the 82nd minute. Rachel Williams headed a Gabby George corner towards goal. Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar tried to catch the ball, but Malard blocked her and launched it over her head into the net.
The best soccer play came when Russo opened the scoring against his former club. Mariona Caldentey passed the ball to Emily Fox on the right and Russo finished off her first-time cutback. It was the striker’s first league goal of the season and it looked like it would be enough to give Arsenal the victory.
A jubilant Melard celebrates her goal with teammates Jayde Riviere and Simi Awujo.
Interim boss Renee Slegers knows Arsenal cannot continue giving up leads so easily
But United equalized through a set piece in the 82nd minute. Rachel Williams headed a Gabby George corner towards goal. Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar tried to catch the ball, but Malard blocked her and launched it over her head into the net.
It was systematic of the soft goals that Arsenal have leaked this season. Interim boss Renee Slegers will remain in charge at least until the next international break, but she knows this team cannot continue to give up leads so easily if she is to be given the job permanently.
