Arsenal Women 2-0 Liverpool Women

Meadow Park

Barclays Women’s Super League

First half goals from Stina Blackstenius and Caitlin Foord helped Arsenal Women to a 2-0 win over Liverpool in the Women’s Super League.

The Conti Cup champions returned to league action at a freezing Meadow Park, with the game surviving a pitch inspection earlier in the day, with snow falling down in the build up to kick off. Within forty seconds Caitlin Foord made inroads down Liverpool’s right hand side, squaring the ball to Blackstenius who couldn’t turn her shot past Rachel Laws.

Fresh from the impressive 3-1 victory over Chelsea, Arsenal were zipping the ball across the Meadow Park turf with pace and precision against a Liverpool side that hadn’t played a match since early February, a 1-0 defeat against bottom side Leicester.

Striker Stina Blackstenius scored Arsenal’s equaliser on Sunday, and the Swede was unable to convert a curled shot past Laws from close range, an early warning for Liverpool. Another Liverpool counter attack set up Kearns in behind on the right wing, who’s shot was straight at Zinsberger. 

Arsenal thought they had the lead when Pelova’s superb low cross was tapped in by the unlikely source of Leah Williamson, but the offside flag was promptly raised to the frustration of the Arsenal fans. There was no doubt however about the legality of Stina Blackstenius’ turn and finish from just inside the box that found the bottom corner minutes later to give Arsenal the lead with her first goal since November.

Blackstenius was not far away from doubling Arsenal’s lead, with her strong shot saved well by Laws, but Caitlin Foord was lurking to head the rebound home as Arsenal took firm control of the game after thirty-five minutes. The Gunners were able to subdue the visitors as Walti and Little helped to prevent any Liverpool attacks progressing, before Blackstenius’ low strike in first half injury time was saved by Laws.

Liverpool responded with a triple substitution at half time as Daniels, Bonner and Campbell were all introduced, but Arsenal continued to control possession whilst their chances seemed to dry up as Liverpool’s changes steadied their side. With no change to the score after the hour mark Jonas Eidevall rested Williamson and Walti, with Wubben-Moy and Kuhl coming on. Arsenal face Reading up next, in the late kick-off on Sunday, as they look to narrow the gap on the Champions League places.

Matt Beard’s side earned promotion from the Championship last season and should avoid relegation back to the second tier this season. Liverpool certainly looked improved in the second half but lacked a cutting edge, having been hampered by injuries to some of their key attackers.

Liverpool’s best chance of the second half fell to defender Megan Cambell, but the substitute’s free kick after a foul by Rafaelle was high and wide. Gio Queiroz pounced onto a loose ball as the clock ticked on to the final ten minutes, but her shot was just as poor as Liverpool looked to close out a second half clean sheet, for all it’s worth.

Emily Heaslip’s final whistle marked another success for the Gunners, who had done all of their hard work before half time- Blackstenius’ goal will signify that the Swedish striker has indeed found some form in front of goal. A win over Reading on Sunday is all that is needed to complete a fine week for Arsenal.