Live Blog: Vivianne Miedema makes first start since ACL injury as Arsenal Women host Spurs in Conti Cup

Defending champions Arsenal switch their attention to the Conti Cup after thrashing Chelsea on Sunday



Live Blog: Vivianne Miedema makes first start since ACL injury as Arsenal Women host Spurs in Conti Cup

Katie McCabe of Arsenal battles with Tottenham's Shelina Zadorsky. Credit- Jacques Feeney/Offside


363 days after rupturing her ACL in a Champions League game against Lyon, Vivianne Miedema starts for Arsenal for the first time since her injury.

The Gunners take on Tottenham Hotspur in Group D of the Conti Cup, with both teams level on six points at the top of the group.

Follow all of the action with our live blog.

Live BLog Wednesday Dec 13th

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

  1. Freddie Cardy: 21:07 #3353

    So it's Arsenal who take two points from the game, and move top of Group D!

  2. Freddie Cardy: 21:07 #3352

    Beattie finds the top corner with a great penalty! She wins the shootout and Arsenal take the bonus point.

  3. Freddie Cardy: 21:05 #3351

    Jen Beattie to win it...

  4. Freddie Cardy: 21:05 #3350

    Petzelberger leaves D'Angelo rooted to the spot and equalises. 3-3

  5. Freddie Cardy: 21:04 #3349

    Foord's penalty is saved, so Spurs are still alive here! 3-2

  6. Freddie Cardy: 21:04 #3348

    Zadorsky keeps her cool and scores, sending D'Angelo the wrong way. 3-2

  7. Freddie Cardy: 21:03 #3347

    Catley then scores in trademark fashion. 3-1

  8. Freddie Cardy: 21:03 #3346

    Graham smashes her effort onto the crossbar and Arsenal are in control of the shootout now! 2-1

  9. Freddie Cardy: 21:03 #3345

    An emphatic penalty from Beth Mead, dispatched into the sidenetting! 2-1

  10. Freddie Cardy: 21:02 #3344

    Excellent penalty by Ayane, real composure. 1-1

  11. Freddie Cardy: 21:01 #3343

    The goalkeeper gets a hand to Russo's penalty but it's too powerful and finds the corner. 1-0

  12. Freddie Cardy: 21:00 #3342

    Naz steps up and it's a brilliant save from D'Angelo, diving to her right! 0-0

  13. Freddie Cardy: 21:00 #3341

    Here we go then... Naz to take first for Spurs.

  14. Freddie Cardy: 20:57 #3340

    The game fizzled out somewhat towards the end, but some sort of small bragging rights are up for grabs ahead of Saturday's meeting in the WSL.

  15. Freddie Cardy: 20:56 #3339

    Full time! Arsenal 3-3 Spurs- we're off to penalties at Meadow Park.

  16. Freddie Cardy: 20:56 #3338

    90+5' Catley's free kick is easily caught by Votikova. 3-3

  17. Freddie Cardy: 20:55 #3337

    90+4' Excellent from D'Angelo who had to be quick off her line to get to the ball ahead of Ayane. Up the other end Meads a free kick on the right hand side- last chance of the game! 3-3

  18. Freddie Cardy: 20:53 #3336

    90+2' Blackstenius tries to pick out Pelova in the box but Zadorsky makes sure that the Arsenal attack comes to an end. 3-3

  19. Freddie Cardy: 20:52 #3335

    90+1' Four added minutes! 3-3

  20. Freddie Cardy: 20:50 #3334

    89' 3,618 in attendance at Meadow Park. 3-3

  21. Freddie Cardy: 20:47 #3333

    86' Mead with a low driven effort that is straight at Votikova. 3-3

  22. Freddie Cardy: 20:47 #3332

    86' Foord does very well to win a free kick off Naz. Mead and Catley stand over it on the left side of the box... 3-3

  23. Freddie Cardy: 20:44 #3331

    83' Last throw of the dice for Arsenal as Russo comes on for Kuhl. 3-3

  24. Freddie Cardy: 20:44 #3330

    83' Foord goes for goal and her dipping effort is wide of the near post. 3-3

  25. Freddie Cardy: 20:43 #3329

    82' Another reminder that if there's no change to this scoreline, we will be going straight to penalties at Meadow Park. The winner of the shootout will then pick up a bonus point. 3-3

  26. Freddie Cardy: 20:40 #3328

    79' Clinton spreads the ball to Ale who gets a cross in. Cleared by Beattie. 3-3

  27. Freddie Cardy: 20:39 #3327

    78' D'Angelo comes off her line to easily claim Zadorsky's misdirected cross. 3-3

  28. Freddie Cardy: 20:35 #3326

    74' Foord receives treatment on her left ankle. 3-3

  29. Freddie Cardy: 20:34 #3325

    73' Ale replaces James at right back for Spurs- their final change. 3-3

  30. Freddie Cardy: 20:34 #3324

    72' Mead and Pelova are introduced for Lacasse and Maanum. 3-3

  31. Freddie Cardy: 20:31 #3323

    68' Goal! Arsenal 3-3 Spurs: Cooney-Cross delivers a superb free kick which is headed into the net by Spurs' Turner at the back post, under pressure from Codina. Arsenal equalise for the third time! 3-3

  32. Freddie Cardy: 20:28 #3322

    67' Cooney-Cross is brought down on the edge of the Spurs box by a combination of two Spurs players and Arsenal have a free kick. 2-3

  33. Freddie Cardy: 20:25 #3321

    64' Now Ayane gets in behind and tries to set up Naz, but her pass is just over-hit and goes behind for a goal kick. 2-3

  34. Freddie Cardy: 20:24 #3320

    63' Foord shoots just wide of the far corner after Clinton gave the ball straight to the Arsenal forward. 2-3

  35. Freddie Cardy: 20:24 #3319

    62' Blackstenius heads just wide from Catley's corner, shut down well by the goalkeeper. 2-2

  36. Freddie Cardy: 20:22 #3318

    61' On come the Aussies as Foord and Catley replace Miedema and McCabe. 2-2

  37. Freddie Cardy: 20:22 #3317

    59' Beattie is booked for a strong challenge on Naz after losing control of the ball and lunging in. 2-2

  38. Freddie Cardy: 20:20 #3316

    59' Spurs make their third and fourth changes as Zadorsky switches with Neville at left-back, and Bizet is withdrawn for Percival on the wing. 2-2

  39. Freddie Cardy: 20:17 #3315

    56' Miedema flicks the ball on towards Lacasse and Neville is there to head it behind for an Arsenal corner. 2-2

  40. Freddie Cardy: 20:14 #3314

    53' Blackstenius wins the ball back high up the pitch and finds Kuhl, who shoots straight into the hands of the goalkeeper. 2-2

  41. Freddie Cardy: 20:11 #3313

    49' Spurs' dangerous striker Thomas is replaced by Ayane for their second change- wonder if she is being saved for Saturday. 2-2

  42. Freddie Cardy: 20:09 #3312

    48' Goal! Arsenal 2-3 Spurs: Kuhl gives the ball away, Bizet finds Naz and she slots the ball into the far corner. 2-3

  43. Freddie Cardy: 20:07 #3311

    46' Spurs make a change at half time, with Turner coming on for Buler at centre-back. 2-2

  44. Freddie Cardy: 20:04 #3310

    Jonas Eidevall and Arsenal are back out first for the second half.

  45. Freddie Cardy: 20:02 #3309

    The second half is fast approaching, with the teams getting ready to return to the pitch.

  46. Freddie Cardy: 19:57 #3308

    If this game finishes level, there will be a penalty shoot-out with a bonus point up for grabs. Never a dull moment supporting or covering Arsenal Women!

  47. Freddie Cardy: 19:54 #3307

    After bumping into Stina Blackstenius at Holloway Road Underground Station after Sunday's game, I'll be taking the credit for her goal...

  48. Freddie Cardy: 19:51 #3306

    Spurs have been pegged back twice in an entertaining first half, with Blackstenius and Maanum cancelling out goals from Thomas and Naz.

  49. Freddie Cardy: 19:49 #3305

    Half time: Arsenal Women 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur.

  50. Freddie Cardy: 19:49 #3304

    50' Cooney-Cross takes a free kick short, gets the ball back and gives it away again. 0-0

  51. Freddie Cardy: 19:46 #3303

    45+1' Five added minutes to be played. Blackstenius finds Kuhl who skips past a Spurs tackle but can't shift the ball to Maanum. 2-2

  52. Freddie Cardy: 19:45 #3302

    45' Cooney-Cross is dispossessed and Spurs drive forward over the halfway line. Arsenal can get numbers back and eventually Beattie gets down to block Thomas' shot on the turn. 2-2

  53. Freddie Cardy: 19:42 #3301

    43' Excellent first-time pass from Miedema to find Lacasse but her shot is straight at the goalkeeper. 2-2

  54. Freddie Cardy: 19:39 #3300

    40' Kuhl takes aim with a first time volley from a long way out and it flies wide. 2-2

  55. Freddie Cardy: 19:38 #3299

    39' Lacasse can drive into the box but cannot pick out Blackstenius. 2-2

  56. Freddie Cardy: 19:37 #3298

    37' Goal! Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham: Cooney-Cross chips the ball over to McCabe who is afforded too much space on the left wing. She tees up Maanum, who buries the ball into the net. 2-2

  57. Freddie Cardy: 19:34 #3297

    34' A late challenge on Lacasse by Neville somehow goes unpunished. 1-2

  58. Freddie Cardy: 19:32 #3296

    33' Cooney-Cross bursts past two defenders, drops her shoulder and bends a shot straight at the goalkeeper. 1-1

  59. Freddie Cardy: 19:31 #3295

    31' This time D'Angelo holds onto a shot from range. Arsenal under significant pressure here. 1-1

  60. Freddie Cardy: 19:30 #3294

    30' Goal! Arsenal 1-2 Tottenham: Naz is played in behind by Thomas and slides the ball past the onrushing D'Angelo to restore Spurs' lead. 1-2

  61. Freddie Cardy: 19:28 #3293

    28' A top-draw save there from Votikova to deny a long-range screamer from Katie McCabe! 1-1

  62. Freddie Cardy: 19:25 #3292

    26' Miedema goes on a tricky run down the left wing and tees up Kuhl, who cannot cause any problems with her shot from the edge of the box. 1-1

  63. Freddie Cardy: 19:24 #3291

    25' D'Angelo's clearance picks out a Spurs player and the Lilywhites are able to cross into the box, but D'Angelo is there to claim the ball. 1-1

  64. Freddie Cardy: 19:23 #3290

    23' McCabe's corner is headed away and now there is a stoppage as Thomas receives treatment for a collision in the box. 1-1

  65. Freddie Cardy: 19:22 #3289

    22' Just the response that Arsenal needed after falling behind, so it's game on again. 1-1

  66. Freddie Cardy: 19:18 #3288

    19' Goal! Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham- Arsenal go straight up the other end and it's a great finish by Stina Blackstenius, meeting Maanum's low cross with a first time effort into the back of the net.

  67. Freddie Cardy: 19:17 #3287

    17' Goal! Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham- Martha Thomas adds another goal to her impressive tally this season, heading Neville's cross into the bottom corner. 0-1

  68. Freddie Cardy: 19:15 #3286

    16' Nearly an opener for Arsenal as Maritz's shot is deflected onto the woodwork! 0-0

  69. Freddie Cardy: 19:12 #3285

    13' Bartrip is attended to by the Spurs physios as Jonas Eidevall uses the chance to talk to his side. Bartrip will be able to continue. 0-0

  70. Freddie Cardy: 19:11 #3284

    12' Lovely play from Kuhl who gets past two defenders and exchanges passes with Blackstenius. Bartrip comes flying across and Kuhl can't get a shot away. 0-0

  71. Freddie Cardy: 19:10 #3283

    11' Miedema can then send a half-volley towards goal but her effort is blocked. 0-0

  72. Freddie Cardy: 19:09 #3282

    10' First opportunity for Miedema in the penalty area, coming onto her right foot but blocked off by two defenders. 0-0

  73. Freddie Cardy: 19:08 #3281

    8' Now it's Cooney-Cross who leaves one in on Petzleberger and is penalised. The Arsenal fans are in good voice. 0-0

  74. Freddie Cardy: 19:05 #3280

    6' Sloppy pass back into the Arsenal box is picked up by Thomas, but Kuhl was there for Arsenal to find Beattie, who cleared her lines. 0-0

  75. Freddie Cardy: 19:04 #3279

    5' McCabe is a touch over-physical on Bizet and Spurs win a free kick deep in their own half. 0-0

  76. Freddie Cardy: 19:02 #3278

    3' Miedema has started on the left wing with Blackstenius upfront. 0-0

  77. Freddie Cardy: 19:00 #3277

    1' Underway! 0-0

  78. Freddie Cardy: 18:59 #3276

    A cold looking Arsenal side go through their pre-match huddle, as some very audible chants asking Arsenal fans what they think of Tottenham are belted out...

  79. Freddie Cardy: 18:56 #3275

    Meadow Park has filled up very nicely on a chilly night in Hertfordshire, with a sea of red and white packed into the North Bank.

  80. Freddie Cardy: 18:50 #3274

    Ten minutes to go until kick-off at Meadow Park. It's the North London Derby, Round One for this week!

  81. Freddie Cardy: 18:46 #3273

    Only Elisabeth Terland of Brighton has scored more WSL goals this season than Martha Thomas, who has netted six times for Spurs in the league after signing from Manchester United in September.

  82. Freddie Cardy: 18:43 #3272

    Jonas Eidevall said ahead of this evening's game: “The Conti Cup was a real high for us last season so we want to win the competition again this season. Any match against Tottenham is a big one for us as Arsenal and we want to produce a good performance and win the game. Our supporters were unbelievable at the Emirates on Sunday and we know they bring a good noise at Meadow Park too, so we’re looking forward to seeing them."

  83. Freddie Cardy: 18:40 #3271

    Tonight will serve as something of a dress rehearsal for Saturday's North London Derby in the Women's Super League, which will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium- kick-off 12pm.

  84. Freddie Cardy: 18:38 #3270

    Arsenal beat Bristol City 3-1 and won 2-1 at St Mary's against Southampton, whilst Spurs won 3-0 against Bristol and 6-0 against Reading.

  85. Freddie Cardy: 18:35 #3269

    It's First vs Second in Group D tonight, with both Arsenal and Spurs having won their opening two games in the Conti Cup group stage. Arsenal won last season's competition, beating Chelsea 3-1 in the final.

  86. Freddie Cardy: 18:31 #3268

    Here at the Gooner we're going to be providing plenty of video content for Arsenal Women this season, so make sure to subscribe to Gooner Fanzine TV on YouTube and turn on notifications!

  87. Freddie Cardy: 18:30 #3267

    Arsenal's big win over Chelsea helped the Gunners move up to 2nd in the table, level on points with the Blues. You can watch my post-match reaction here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ3xxYwXKhM&t=11s

  88. Freddie Cardy: 18:26 #3266

    Despite their recent form, Robert Vilahamn has enjoyed a steady start to life as Spurs manager after taking over from Rehanne Skinner in the summer. The Lilywhites sit 6th in the WSL, practically equidistant from the Champions League spots and relegation zone.

  89. Freddie Cardy: 18:20 #3265

    A few hours after Arsenal hit Chelsea for four at Emirates Stadium, Spurs found themselves 4-0 down against Manchester United at Brisbane Road in a difficult evening. Robert Vilahamn's side have now not won a game in the WSL since October.

  90. Freddie Cardy: 18:16 #3264

    Katie McCabe is the only player who keeps her place from Sunday's win over Chelsea, with Jonas Eidevall wringing the changes.

  91. Freddie Cardy: 18:12 #3263

    Arsenal are without captain Kim Little, who came off injured on Sunday in the second half against Chelsea. Jonas Eidevall said: “Kim has had a scan and that has confirmed that it’s not a serious issue. We’ll see how she progresses this week and make a decision. Aside from that, the squad is in good shape.”

  92. Freddie Cardy: 18:11 #3262

    Spurs substitutes: Spencer, Turner, Zadorsky, Ale, Percival, Ayane, Pearse, England.

  93. Freddie Cardy: 18:10 #3261

    Arsenal substitutes: Zinsberger, Ilestedt, Wubben-Moy, Catley, Walti, Pelova, Mead, Foord, Russo.

  94. Freddie Cardy: 18:10 #3260

    363 days after rupturing her ACL in a Champions League game against Lyon, Vivianne Miedema starts for Arsenal for the first time since her injury.

  95. Freddie Cardy: 18:09 #3259

    Tottenham: Votikova, James, Buhler, Bartrip, Neville, Petzelberger, Graham, Thomas, Bizet, Clinton, Naz.

  96. Freddie Cardy: 18:08 #3258

    Arsenal: D'Angelo; McCabe, Codina, Beattie, Maritz; Kuhl, Cooney-Cross, Maanum; Lacasse, Blackstenius, Miedema.

  97. Freddie Cardy: 18:07 #3257

    Team news is in...

  98. Freddie Cardy: 18:07 #3256

    Good evening and welcome to our coverage of Arsenal Women versus Tottenham Hotspur in the Conti Cup.


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