Arsenal came away with a point from Leigh Sports Village thanks to an injury time screamer from Cloe Lacaase, but the journey back to London will have been spent ruing mistakes that cost them all three.
Looking for their first points of the season after their shock defeat last week in front of a record crowd at The Emirates, Arsenal took the lead against Manchester United and remained the dominant team throughout.
Arsenal being Arsenal, however, they had to make it interesting.
An air kick from Sabrina DiAngelo on the corner of her own box gifted United an equaliser.
In the second half, hesitation in the back line allowed a United toe to steal a lead just minutes after Alessia Russo had hit the bar against her former side.
In a pulsating contest at Leigh Sports Village, Arsenal Women came back to secure a 2-2 draw against Manchester United in the Women’s Super League. The match saw an array of tactical adjustments and standout performances, capped off by a last-minute equaliser from Cloe Lacasse.
Jonas Eidevall, Arsenal‘s head coach, was upbeat following the final whistle. “I’m proud of the performance. I think there are not many teams that could come to Leigh Sports Village and be the team with more goalscoring opportunities than Man United,” he said. The coach also praised the mentality and belief within his squad, citing that it was “very good to get the point” especially after trailing in the match.
He further explained his tactical decisions during the game, saying, “I had an idea about how Stina Blackstenius‘s speed could be important for us, especially in the first half, in order to hit them a little bit on the counterattack.” As the match opened up, Caitlin Ford and Frida Maanum came off the bench and “did very well.”
Lacasse‘s late goal elicited much enthusiasm from Eidevall. “I’m so happy for the team but also so happy for her. What a moment. What incredible quality,” he stated, delighted that the Canadian forward could showcase her abilities on such a crucial stage.
Eidevall also discussed his new contract with Arsenal, saying, “I love every day, working with the team and working with the staff. It’s always about the players and the staff. So I’m happy that we have that done so we can move forward and put all our focus on what can help us get the results we want.”
Lia Walti, who played a crucial role in the match, echoed Eidevall’s sentiments. “I think we can be happy with a draw. We deserved it, we put in a good shift in the second half and we were on top of them towards the end of the game,” she said. Walti also highlighted the energy and character the team displayed, factors she felt were essential for the result.
Arsenal‘s next match is a home fixture against Aston Villa. Both Eidevall and Walti stressed the importance of capitalising on this momentum. “We will do everything we can to energise and show our very best version of ourselves,” said Eidevall, underlining the need for continued support from the fans.
The draw at Leigh Sports Village may have been tinged with disappointment for Arsenal, given the number of chances created, but it also illuminated the resilience and quality within the squad.
As both the coach and players made clear, there are many positives to build on as they prepare to host Aston Villa next weekend.