The WSL season kicked off in spectacular fashion as Arsenal and Manchester City played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in front of a record crowd of 41,818 fans.

With manager Jonas Eidevall making key changes to his lineup, the match showcased tactical battles, Arsenal’s resilience, and a fair share of controversial decisions.

As both teams tested each other’s strengths, Arsenal’s counter-attacking style proved effective, while City’s possession game kept the neutrals on the edge of their seats.

The first league game of the WSL season was attended by 41,818 fans and was very entertaining for the neutrals. It ended as a 2-2 draw which was a fair result in my opinion.

Jonas Eidevall decided to make three changes from the team that played against Häcken with Caitlin Foord, Stina Blackstenius, and Frida Maanum coming into the team for Beth Mead, Emma Kafaji, and Alessia Russo. It is quite obvious that the Champions League second leg is on the manager’s mind as City and the Swedes will offer a different kind of challenge tactically.

The starting XI was Manuela Zinsberger; Lucy Fox, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Laia Codina, Katie McCabe; Kyra Cooney-Cross, Kim Little; Caitlin Foord, Frida Maanum, Stina Blackstenius, Clàudia Pina Caldentey.

Manchester City‘s possession-based football style really fit Arsenal‘s counter-attacking style and it made for an entertaining game. City are really confident in their style of play, and the Arsenal pair up top, Blackstenius and Maanum, was the perfect combination to trouble their defence. They combined for the Gunners’ opener too.

While chasing the game, Arsenal switched to a more ball-possession-based game but were a bit disorganised. Interestingly, they ended up with the four most creative attacking players on the pitch for the final part of the game, and I would bet they will start the game against Häcken: Beth Mead, Emma Kafaji, Clàudia Pina Caldentey, and Alessia Russo.

Arsenal are resilient and reacted well after going behind, even if it was a bit messy in terms of structure, which allowed City to counter-attack more and create chances. But it is a very positive sign considering the must-win game against Häcken on Thursday at Borehamwood FC.

The central pairing of Lotte Wubben-Moy and Laia Codina did a good job as Leah Williamson was absent with a concussion, and as we know, protocols are in place to protect the player’s health. She might be out for the next game, and rightly so. We don’t want Leah or any other player to have lasting damage by coming back too early.

Vivianne Miedema has not lost her touch and goalscoring sense since moving to City.

Playing a number eight role in City’s midfield three on the left of the triangle, she first had a long-range shot that went wide. She then proceeded to score via a deflection, as mentioned jokingly by Beth Mead while passing through the mixed zone, while the Dutch forward was being interviewed. You give her a sniff of a goal, and she will punish you.

The refereeing was mentioned by both managers in their press conferences, as two Arsenal goals were controversial. First, there was a Caitlin Foord goal that was disallowed incorrectly by the assistant referee. The replay showed it was a factually incorrect decision.

🎙️ Eidevall on Foord's disallowed goal: "That's a call that is probably always going to involve some kind of human error, as long as you don't have VAR. That's going to be part of the season. Sometimes you're going to get those margins with you, sometimes you're going to get them… pic.twitter.com/fyHoOypZLf

— matterofarsenal (@matterofarsenal) September 22, 2024

I think there is a very simple answer to that error, and it is VAR or the semi-automated offside. It is not easy to judge offside for the assistant referees, and they need technological help.

Gareth Taylor expressed his surprise that the Mead goal stood, considering a conversation he had on the touchline. “The ref doesn’t give a foul that was a clear foul in the context of the game. I was informed by the fourth official that they indicated to the referee that it should’ve been a foul, so did the linesman. She decided to go against it, which is her prerogative to do that. Maybe she’s seen something that we haven’t; maybe she thought McCabe got the ball, but I just felt that it was a dangerous tackle from behind.”

Realistically, Abigail Byrne could have given a free-kick, especially as her team was next to the action and told her it was a foul. Overall, her performance was not great; she did not control everything, did not book anyone, and then at some point started to give multiple bookings that she was not giving earlier in the game.

The Emirates Stadium was the place to be on Sunday. International managers Montserrat Tomé from Spain and Sarina Wiegman were in attendance. The England manager had a good chat with Beth Mead, while the Spain manager had a long chat with her players from Arsenal and City.

Keira Walsh, Grace Clinton, and Jessica Wiik were also in attendance, as well as many agents like Lucas Russo and Spencer Wadsworth from Wassermann, Carlota Planas from Unik Sports Management, and Leoni Blokhuis from Flowsports.

Attention now turns to the Champions League game against Häcken, as Arsenal have to overcome a 1-0 deficit, and with the firepower available, this is certainly possible considering the number of options and tactics that the Arsenal manager can choose from.