Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by the London City Lionesses at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, extending their winless home run in the Women’s Super League.
The advantage lasted barely 60 seconds before Isobel Goodwin lashed into the roof of the net following a moment where Leah Williamson lost the run of the striker.
The result marks Arsenal’s fifth consecutive draw from five home games in the Women’s Super League this season, following previous stalemates against Aston Villa, Birmingham, Manchester United and Crystal Palace. Despite stretching their unbeaten home league run to 24 matches, the Gunners sit sixth in the table with 14 points, six points behind third-placed London City.
🔴 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔 ⚪️ 🆚 London City Lionesses 🕟 4.30pm (UK) 🏆 @BarclaysWSL 🏟️ Emirates Stadium pic.twitter.com/EgG19xaIWP
Earps repeatedly denied Maanum and Lisa Baum, preserving parity as the visitors absorbed waves of pressure. As Arsenal continued to pepper her goal, the goalkeeper touched a curling effort from Maanum on to the bar before the 85th minute, when she tipped another Maanum shot onto the crossbar with her fingertips. Earlier in the second half, substitute Delphine Cascarino also hit the woodwork for the away side.
Tiring. It’s a big point away from home.
Mary Earps, London City goalkeeper
“Either team could have won it in terms of chances.” “Happy with the point – would have liked three.” “All the girls put their bodies on the line.” “I love defending.” “It was tough today and I thought we did a good job,” she said.
Four consecutive home draws. A six point gap to their opponents. 👀 Arsenal have struggled to find their rhythm in the WSL this season, but the Opta supercomputer gives the Gunners a 65% chance of victory. 🔮 Our match preview 👇https://t.co/StrPm0z1eh
The sold-out away end helped fill out a 32,000-strong crowd at the Emirates as the visitors maintained a six-point advantage over Arsenal in the race for a European place, moving within six points of the leaders Chelsea.
London City head coach Eder Maestre praised his side for adopting a fearless approach, noting that his squad matured and showed greater know-how against the Gunners.
“The way we faced and challenged every circumstance in the game shows we are here, and able to play with that mentality in these big games,” Maestre said.
“We tried to play as if we were at home. I always want to feel that my teams are brave and go for the win,” he said.
💬 "We want to show what we can do and be our best." Renée Slegers looks ahead to London City Lionesses at Emirates Stadium on Sunday 👇
Reflecting on the match context, Renée Slegers’s side had made a bright start with energy, pace, and the threat of Alessia Russo. With the fixture tied at 1-1, the home side's desperation was evident when goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez went forward for a corner in the final seconds of stoppage time.
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Goodwin equalises almost instantly for London City Lionesses!! 🍿#BarclaysWSL | @LC_Lionesses pic.twitter.com/QZUJhVAGFW