Live Blog: Arsenal look to keep WSL title hopes alive against Manchester United

Emirates Stadium is sold-out for a bumper Saturday lunchtime fixture between Arsenal Women and Manchester United



Live Blog: Arsenal look to keep WSL title hopes alive against Manchester United

Arsenal celebrate their second goal against Manchester United in last season's fixture. Credit- Jacques Feeney/Offside


Live BLog Saturday Feb 17th

Please stand-by, this page will automatically update with live commentary and comments

  1. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:33 #4029

    Player ratings and post-match reaction to come.

  2. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:31 #4028

    A huge win for the Gunners, who deservedly overcome Marc Skinner’s side and remind Man City and Chelsea that they are still in the WSL title race And all in front of a record, sold-out crowd!

  3. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:30 #4027

    Full time: Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United.

  4. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:29 #4026

    90+10' Good defending by Lacasse, who is filling in at right-back to stop United's counter attack progressing. 3-1

  5. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:27 #4025

    90+9' Arsenal were caught napping there and have thrown away their clean sheet. 3-1

  6. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:26 #4024

    90+6' Goal: Arsenal 3-1 United: Garcia taps in at the back post following a corner that was taken short and then went through D’Angelo’s hands. 3-1

  7. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:24 #4023

    90+4 Walti is back on her feet and will continue- youngster Vivienne Lia was stripped and ready to come on, presumably as a concussion substitute. 3-0

  8. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:22 #4022

    90+4' Correction: It's Lia Walti who is down. 3-0

  9. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:21 #4021

    90+2' Codina now receives treatment for another injury as United await a free-kick. 3-0

  10. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:19 #4020

    90+1' Caitlin Foord is booked. Six added minutes. 3-0

  11. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:18 #4019

    89' Wubben-Moy is named the Arsenal Women Supporters' Club player of the match. Good call. 3-0

  12. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:16 #4018

    87' Arsenal build through Miedema but end up playing the ball all the way back to D'Angelo, who is barely pressed by the veteran Williams. All too easy. 3-0

  13. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:12 #4017

    83' Catley is back up on her feet and will leave the field to be replaced by Foord. The definition of putting your body on the line from the Aussie defender. 3-0

  14. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:10 #4016

    80' Heroic defending from Arsenal- Williams draws a brilliant save from D'Angelo before Catley puts her body on the line to go for a header agauinst Garcia. She is attended to by the physios. 3-0

  15. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:08 #4015

    79' Arsenal have set a new WSL record attendance at Emirates Stadium! 60,160 tickets sold. 3-0

  16. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:08 #4014

    78' McCabe goes for glory from a long way out but misses. 3-0

  17. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:06 #4013

    77' Some applause from the home fans for Parris as she is replaced by Malard. 3-0

  18. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:04 #4012

    75' Arsenal substitution as Maanum and Miedema replace Mead and Little. 3-0

  19. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:02 #4011

    73' McCabe and Little combine well in the box and McCabe draws another save from the busy Earps. 3-0

  20. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:01 #4010

    72' Wubben-Moy slides in to block Parris' effort before Garcia is adjudged offside from the deflection. 3-0

  21. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 14:00 #4009

    71' Good save from D'Angelo to deny Parris at her near post- Parris really should have squared the ball back across goal. 3-0

  22. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:59 #4008

    70' United make a change as Naalsund is replaced by Ladd in midfield. 3-0

  23. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:58 #4007

    68' Another Arsenal chance goes begging! Lacasse's tame shot is saved by Earps at her near post. 3-0

  24. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:56 #4006

    67' A warm reception from the Arsenal fans for Russo, who comes on for Blackstenius. 3-0

  25. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:56 #4005

    66' Mead goes close twice more, hitting the post once again and then seeing her shot saved! 3-0

  26. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:54 #4004

    65' Huge cheers from the home fans as Russo prepares to come on against her former club. 3-0

  27. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:51 #4003

    62' Almost a fourth for Arsenal! Mead's fierce strike smashes the post. 3-0

  28. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:50 #4002

    61' Strong save by Earps to deny Blackstenius, who latched on to a backpass. 3-0

  29. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:49 #4001

    60' Corner for Arsenal evades everyone, including KCC at the back post. 3-0

  30. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:47 #4000

    58' McCabe whips in a cross from the right and Earps is alert to claim down low under pressure from Blackstenius. 3-0

  31. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:45 #3999

    56' Parris heads wide from a long ball into the box but the flag is raised. 3-0

  32. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:44 #3998

    55' Geyse with a powerful run down the right wing and her shot has to be saved by Zinsberger at her near post. 3-0

  33. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:41 #3997

    52' Garcia finds space down the left wing but her cutback is straight at Wubben-Moy. No real cohesion going forward for Marc Skinner's side. 3-0

  34. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:39 #3996

    50' Wubben-Moy is shown a yellow card. 3-0

  35. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:37 #3995

    48' Looks like the Cooney-Cross switch for Pelova will lend itself towatds Arsenal controlling the midfield, with the cushion of a 3-0 lead to lean upon. 3-0

  36. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:34 #3994

    46' The second half is underway. 3-0

  37. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:34 #3993

    Cooney-Cross replaces Pelova, whilst Galton comes on for Evans.

  38. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:32 #3992

    Both sides head back out onto the pitch for the second half.

  39. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:31 #3991

    Pitchside, Arsenal's quadruple winning side of 2006/07 are commemorated pitchside.

  40. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:29 #3990

    An excellent opening 45 minutes from the Gunners. Geyse own goal, Lacasse and Little the scorers, with Arsenal in firm control of this game.

  41. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:20 #3989

    Half time: Arsenal 3-0 Man United.

  42. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:19 #3988

    45+4' Mead and Catley both get shots away and both are blocked after some brilliant trickery from Mead to beat her marker. 3-0

  43. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:18 #3987

    45+3' Arsenal fans wave their scarves and sing as they enjoy the comfortable position their side are now in. 3-0

  44. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:15 #3986

    45+1' Four minutes of added time. 3-0

  45. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:14 #3985

    44' Goal! Arsenal 3-0 Man United: Little sends her spot-kick past Earps to make it three! Arsenal might have wrapped things up before half time here. 3-0

  46. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:12 #3984

    43' Arsenal are awarded a penalty! Little's header finds Mead who is brought down by Evans. 2-0

  47. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:11 #3983

    41' Now Blackstenius is brought down in midfield by Turner- another cynical foul by the away side, who are clearly frustrated and short of ideas. 2-0

  48. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:09 #3982

    39' McCabe is clipped late by Evans, who is on a yellow card. She receives treatment but will be ok to continue. 2-0

  49. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:07 #3981

    38' McCabe is booked for pushing over Toone. 1-0

  50. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:05 #3980

    35' Goal! Arsenal 2-0 Man United: Pelova finds Blackstenius in the box, and she can't get a shot away. Zelem clears the ball straight at Lacasse, who heads home. 2-0

  51. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:03 #3979

    33' Now United can get in behind but Garcia's cross is cleared by Wubben-Moy. Mead breaks and is brought down by Evans, who receives a yellow card. 1-0

  52. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:01 #3978

    32' Late foul by Mead on Evans and Marc Skinner is unhappy that the Arsenal forward has avoided a yellow card. 1-0

  53. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 13:00 #3977

    31' Zelem has the chance to swing in a free-kick. Before her delivery reaches a United player, the referee blows her whistle for a foul by Geyse. 1-0

  54. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:58 #3976

    29' Toone's shot is deflected just wide of the far post. 1-0

  55. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:58 #3975

    28' Brilliant defending from Wubben-Moy- Geyse had sprinted down the right but the Arsenal defender got back to challenge her. 1-0

  56. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:57 #3974

    27' Mead's free-kick is bent over the crossbar- not a bad effort. 1-0

  57. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:56 #3973

    26' First yellow card of the game- Blundell brings down Lacasse with a cynical foul. 1-0

  58. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:55 #3972

    25' United's attack comes to nothing as Catley challenges Geyse well to win a throw-in. 1-0

  59. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:51 #3971

    22' Strong run by Blackstenius who drives into the penalty area, but her shot is deflected and saved by Earps. 1-0

  60. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:51 #3970

    22' United's own goal has been awarded (if that's the right word) to Geyse. 1-0

  61. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:47 #3969

    17' Mead picks up possession in the box, cuts onto her left foot and bends a shot wide via a headed block from Turner. 1-0

  62. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:45 #3968

    16' Garcia makes inrodes but her tame cross is claimed down low by D'Angelo. 1-0

  63. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:43 #3967

    14' After withstanding some early pressure it's Arsenal who strike first in the form of an own goal, and the whole team were celebrating in front of the fans. 1-0

  64. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:41 #3966

    10' Goal! Arsenal 1-0 Man United: McCabe's corner causes problems at the near post, and the ball hits two United players to deflect past Earps. Looked like the last touch came off of Le Tissier. 1-0

  65. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:38 #3965

    8' Arsenal's first corner is taken by Mead and punched away by Earps. 0-0

  66. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:37 #3964

    7' Pelova's floated pass finds Mead in some space at the back post. Her cross is headed away by Turner. 0-0

  67. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:35 #3963

    6' Mead looks for Blackstenius in behind but her pass is over-hit and collected by Earps. 0-0

  68. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:34 #3962

    4' Zelem's free kick is spilled by D'Angelo, who is adjudged to have been fouled by Garcia. 0-0

  69. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:33 #3961

    4' Codina's shaky start continues with a foul on Parris, and a talking-to from the referee. 0-0

  70. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:31 #3960

    1' A sloppy backpass from Codina sees D'Angelo rush out of her box and tackle Parris strongly. 0-0

  71. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:30 #3959

    1' We are underway! 0-0

  72. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:28 #3958

    Arsenal are in their red and white home kit, with United in a dark green away strip.

  73. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:27 #3957

    Here come the teams, as a huge banner is unfurled on the far side in the stand!

  74. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:25 #3956

    The teams are in the tunnel!

  75. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:24 #3955

    If Arsenal win, they can move seven points above United and strengthen their grip on Champions League qualification. The Gunners are also still in the title race, which was blown open by Man City's win over Chelsea last night.

  76. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:20 #3954

    Arsenal's record against Manchester United makes for difficult reading. United did the double over Arsenal last season, and were moments away from winning back in October until Cloe Lacasse picked out the top corner from range to salvage a draw.

  77. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:18 #3953

    Finally, Arsenal stalwart Jen Beattie is given a fantastic reception from the home fans as she is interviewed pitchside.

  78. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:15 #3952

    And Kim Little is commemorated by Vic Akers after bringing up her 300th appearance for Arsenal last month.

  79. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:14 #3951

    Lia Walti receives her January player of the month award, remarkably her first POTM accolade for Arsenal.

  80. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:11 #3950

    Young defender Katie Reid has spent this season on dual registration with Watford, but has been recalled from her spell with the Women's Championship side and is involved in Arsenal's matchday squad.

  81. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:08 #3949

    I have now spotted Vivianne Miedema, who is in her training kit down by the tunnel but wearing trainers. The forward is named on the bench for Arsenal but is not warming up.

  82. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:05 #3948

    England cricket captain Heather Knight is being interviewed pitchside about women's football and her love for Arsenal.

  83. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 12:00 #3947

    Arsenal are set to play in front of a sold out Emirates Stadium for the first time in the Women's Super League. Jonas Eidevall said: “I can see for the two-and-a-half years I’ve been here starting at the Emirates Stadium with 10,000 people against Chelsea, and now coming into last season when we had a sellout against Wolfsburg in the Champions League semi-final, and then seeing how that rolls into this season, having attendances over 50,000 numerous times, and now we get another sellout. “And we still have two more games to play at the Emirates this season so it’s incredible. It just shows the growth of the game, and for us in particular.”

  84. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 11:57 #3946

    Vivianne Miedema is named on the bench for Arsenal but does not appear to have joined the pre-match warm-up.

  85. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 11:49 #3945

    For Manchester United, Nikita Parris starts against her former side. The forward narrowly missed out on England selection despite being in fine goalscoring form, so will be keen to prove a point.

  86. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 11:42 #3944

    Sabrina D'Angelo is selected in goal, with Alessia Russo, Caitlin Foord and Vivianne Miedema notable absentees in the starting eleven. Stina Blackstenius is preferred to Russo upfront, and Laia Codina comes in for Leah Williamson.

  87. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 11:41 #3943

    Leah Williamson is out with a minor hamstring injury, and Amanda Ilestedt remains sidelined through illness.

  88. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 11:41 #3942

    Man United subs: Tullis-Joyce, Mannion, Aherne, Galton, Guerrero, Ladd, Malard, Williams.

  89. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 11:40 #3941

    Arsenal subs: Zinsberger, Bouhaddi, Reid, Cooney-Cross, Maanum, Foord, Miedema, Russo, Lia.

  90. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 11:39 #3940

    Man United: Earps, Le Tissier, Blundell, Toone, Zelem, Evans, Naalsund, Garcia, Turner, Parris, Geyse.

  91. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 11:38 #3939

    Arsenal: D'Angelo; Catley, Wubben-Moy, Codina, McCabe; Walti, Pelova, Little; Lacasse, Blackstenius, Mead.

  92. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 11:37 #3938

    Hello and welcome to Emirates Stadium for Arsenal v Manchester United in the WSL. Team news is in...


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