Arsenal got their league season under way with a disappointing 1-1 draw at Notts County.

The Gunners came flying out of the traps and came close to opening the scoring with the first move of the game however they would leave the Notts County keeper untested for whole first half.

After what was a scrappy 28 minutes, Notts County scored a quite brilliant and innovative freekick straight from the training ground.

As the freekick taker ran up to take it while two of her teammates stood behind the ball, they faked a misunderstanding and stopped, causing the Arsenal players to do the same. With the Arsenal ladies expecting it to be reset, Notts County rolled the ball to former Arsenal player, Ellen White, who turned and drilled it low past Emma Byrne in the corner of the goal.

It was one of the best-worked free-kicks I’ve seen in many years and White’s first goal since her return from over a year out with injury.

Less than a minute later White was fouled on the very edge of the Arsenal box but the referee pointed to the spot as it all looked like it might unravel for Pedro Losa’s side but thankfully the pressure of the occasion got to White who rushed her spot kick and put it wide despite sending Byrne the wrong way.

Looking unbalanced without a proper defensive midfielder in the side, Arsenal were showing little sign of controlling the game as the half wound to a close. Leaving their fullbacks exposed, it was the hosts who were looking on top as Arsenal struggled to find any sort of rhythm, while Notts County gave them no time on the ball.

The second half started in the same vein, with Notts County enjoying the better chances while Arsenal struggled to create and took 68 minutes to fashion their first shot on target.

While Arsenal were slightly better in the second half, they were still a world away from the form we have come to expect from them and in the end it took a splendid solo effort from new signing Chioma Ubogagu to level the game late on as she hit a beautiful effort on the volley after teeing it up for herself on the edge of the box

A poor display overall for the Gunners and they will need to be much improved if they are to have any hope of regaining a Champions League spot, let alone the title.