Arsenal Women 1–0 London City Lionesses: Report by Layth Yousif from Meadow Park

Viv Miedema’s 44th minute goal sealed a hard-fought contest in favour of Arsenal Women, against their battling opponents, London City Lionesses, at Meadow Park on Sunday afternoon.

Fifty six days after Jonas Eidevall’s side were routed 3-0 by Chelsea in the 2021 FA Cup Final at Wembley, his team successfully launched their hunt to reach another showpiece final at the national stadium.

With Thursday’s much-needed 2-1 comeback victory over Brighton being only their second win in the last eight matches, perhaps this cup game against lower league opponents came at the right time for Eidevall’s talented but currently stuttering side.

In glorious midwinter sunshine, the home side dominated the opening stages with Nikita Parris testing the Pride’s keeper Shae Yanez. Beth Mead had a shot saved shortly afterwards, which was struck near to the spot where she scored her excellent free-kick during the stirring Super League comeback against Brighton.

On 22 minutes Mead had a powerful drive spectacularly saved by Yanez, a former University of Tennessee alumnus, as the Gunners continued to dominate, searching for an opener to kick-start their hunt for a 15th FA Cup.

Credit had to be given to Melissa Phillips’ side who proved obdurate opponents as the half wore on, restricting Arsenal to Frida Maanum’s snatched shot that forced the impressive Yanez to gather before the break.

Just as the Dartford-based visitors appeared to be heading level into half time, Miedema made it 1-0 by slotting home with composure moments before the interval, after Mead won back possession from the Pride backline.

Miedema started the second half in similar fashion, firing over after the Gunners started powerfully, with Maanum having a shot saved by Yanez shortly afterwards.

The world class Miedema was to depart shortly afterwards, replaced by Laura Wienroither to warm applause, as Arsenal continued to press for a second, with Jordan Nobbs having an effort saved on the hour mark.

As the clock ticked down, a determined home side sealed their passage to the next round, even if huge credit should be given to the visitors, who never made it easy for Eidevall’s side.

However, the bigger picture off the field, is that women's teams in the FA Cup are battling for less than two per cent of the prize money awarded to men's sides, with the total for winning the trophy a measly £25,000 - in stark contrast to the £1.8m handed to the men.

And despite the FA conceding that they will make a ‘significant increase’ they have refused to reveal exactly what that means.

All of which means pressure must be kept on the relevant authorities to make substantial changes, not only to increasing the prize money pot, but also to outdated attitudes.

Given the outstanding commitment shown by both sides during this absorbing match, it is the least they should expect.