Three things we learned from Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Manchester United at a sold-out Emirates Stadium

Lotte Wubben-Moy was immense

I wrote about her in one of these earlier in the season, but only in reference to her partnership with Ilestedt.

With Ilestedt out ill and Williamson out with a last-minute hamstring injury, there was a lot of pressure on Wubbey-Moy, a mainstay this season, and her partnership with the newly introduced Laia Codina. Codina secured a rare start in a WSL game, let alone one of this magnitude.

Wubbey-Moy ‘led from the back’ with composure, tenacity, and class. The supporters club voted her as player of the match and it’s hard to disagree with that. She won her duals brilliantly. Codina also did very well and again was tenacious, winning her duals.

Cloé Lacasse impressed

I said in my last post that she is dynamic, tries things and is in the right place at the right time. I did wonder if she would start based on her form and she did. Wow, she delivered! Man United’s full back couldn’t handle her.

I think the game was won in midfield and we dominated central midfield, but what Lacasse did was stretch the play and add a layer of unpredictability.

Her goal was a case of improvisation, and I think she will add goals to the attack going forward. She runs at players, is direct and causes problems for defenders. If she can add consistent goals and assists, there’s no reason why she can’t be a mainstay in this team.

The occasion was brilliant

There’s almost too much to mention here! Legend Jen Beattie got her send off, after recently leaving the club to go to Bay FC in the NWSL. I missed this as I think it was before the game, but it’s great that she received her flowers (not literally, she got a presentation.)

Secondly, we welcomed the trailblazing quadruple-winning Arsenal squad (and coaches including Emma Hayes!) who also got a presentation at half time. It’s so important that they had that moment because they’re the reason why we had days like Saturday.

Kim Little was also honoured for reaching 300 appearances. What goes without saying is that the result was also really important, given that it was in front of such a big crowd and the game was so important in terms of our Champions League hopes. What a day!

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