Manchester United came 80 seconds away from their first win under Eva Olid, as Smilla Holmberg’s late volley saved Arsenal’s blushes at the Emirates on Saturday night.
Holmberg’s 95th-minute equaliser – a crisp back-post volley from Leah Williamson’s cross – rescued a point after Georgia Stanway looked to have gift-wrapped the win for United. Her dozy backpass allowed Julia Zigiotti Olme to steal behind Arsenal’s back line and drag a shot through the legs of Misa Rodriguez for what looked like United’s first WSL win of the season.
Arsenal were lucky to escape with a point and were once again guilty of moving the ball too slowly, failing to show improvement on their lacklustre performance last weekend against Crystal Palace.
Manager Renee Slegers said in midweek that her focus was on helping her side create quality chances rather than a glut of half-chances, but Arsenal failed to produce either until going a goal down.
If Arsenal were expecting an easy ride, they were sorely mistaken. United will leave north London with a single point but with plenty of credit for their part in the play.
Olid’s side came to the Emirates looking to salvage some pride after a chastening start to the season and certainly achieved that, largely due to the Catalan coach ringing in a key change
Ella Toone was dropped in favour of the more physical Simi Awujo in a central midfield three, transforming United into a team that looked tough to beat. They were assured in possession and aggressive in defence, showing none of the nerves and hesitation that blighted their performances against London City and Chelsea.
United’s early fight was almost immediately rewarded when their first major foray into Arsenal territory gave Elisabeth Terland two chances to put them ahead. The Norwegian international’s initial shot stung the palms of Misa before a second – a much better chance from 12 yards out – was fired straight at the goalkeeper once more.
Arsenal struggled with United’s renewed physicality throughout the first half and failed to make their territorial dominance tell. Mariona Caldentey went close after some neat play down the right-hand side opened up space in the box, but the World Cup winner’s rasping shot could only kiss the side netting.
Their best chance fell to Stina Blackstenius just before the half. Lisa Baum’s gorgeous in-swinging cross was on a plate for the Swede six yards out, but her header lacked venom and allowed Phallon Tullis-Joyce to turn it over the bar.
The Gunners continued their steady pressure after half-time but were made to pay for their lack of tempo when Stanway’s error gifted Zigiotti-Olme her first league goal since February.
United looked to have taken inspiration from Andrea Medina’s battling performance against Chelsea last weekend, and the Spaniard was once again excellent operating as a defensive left-winger, helping Anna Sandberg keep Olivia Smith under wraps.
The exclusion of Toone from United’s starting XI raised eyebrows before kick-off, but the move paid dividends as United looked far more solid in her absence.
Awujo’s deeper role added pressing power and a rugged body in United’s midfield for the first 50 minutes, and Olid’s choice to replace her with Rebecca Bernal set United’s stall out in their bid for a first WSL win.
They put bodies on the line throughout the 90 minutes to defend their six-yard box against the waves of Arsenal attack, but couldn’t hold out in injury time. Tired minds and bodies switched off at the last, allowing substitute Holmberg to ghost in at the back post and slam home a volley from short range.
It was the only time Tullis-Joyce looked like being beaten. The American reminded the league of her ability after two rough games to start the season. Her save from Blackstenius in the first half was good, but a second-half save down low to deny Caitlin Foord was even better.
Olid’s side will take plenty of positives from north London and look to have found a formula to help them compete in midfield.
For Arsenal, it’s the same old story. Another stuttering start to a WSL season doesn’t quite dash their title hopes, but it will be another uphill battle for the Gunners in their quest to reclaim domestic dominance.
