Despite their dominant performance in the second half, our Gunners drew away with Manchester United in the Women’s Super League.

Alessia Russo gave us the lead with a first-time finish before Melvine Malard equalized late to seal our first victory at Leigh Sports Village since 2021.

WHAT HAPPENED

Leah Williamson returned to the starting line-up after missing the last game against West Ham United and was paired with Steph Catley at the back.

An explosive start to the match saw the home team win two early corners as both sides applied intense pressure to their respective backlines.

Our side showed no signs of fatigue after a busy international break and met United’s first wave of attacks with composure and strength.

Alessia Russo looked particularly energetic on her return to her former club, taking a quick shot that beat Phallon Tullis-Joyce but stayed off target.

Moments later, Frida Maanum’s relentless pressure paid off as she lobbed the ball up and played it to Russo, whose terrific shot was pushed towards the corner.

We continued to defend resolutely and counter-attacked by probing the area with a series of high crosses. Maanum went close with a header from deep and Caitlin Foord’s close range shot did not have enough power to beat Tullis-Joyce.

At the other end, Elizabeth Terland rose for a header and connected well, prompting Daphne van Domselaar to make a good save to keep them goalless at half-time.

We are besieging the united fortress, attacking in wave after wave, but we fall short in this crucial final action.

It was inevitable that our breakthrough would come from Russo, who had formed an excellent bond with former college teammate Emily Fox. Our right back quickly entered the penalty area and advanced towards number 23; The first finish of that count sailed past Tullis-Joyce’s outstretched glove.

Completely against the flow of play, Melvine Malard equalized from a goalmouth challenge as we failed to clear our lines from the corner.

Renee Slegers made a near-death triple substitution, introducing Rosa Kafaji, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Lina Hurtig as we looked to regain the lead. Despite the momentum turning in our favor lately and Lia Walti’s brilliant strike over the bar, the away points were shared.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Next up for our Gunners is a Friday night under the lights at the Emirates Stadium against Brighton & Hove Albion.

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal’s starting 11: Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe, Walti, Little (C) (Cooney-Cross, 87), Maanum (Mead, 46), Mariona (Kafaji, 87), Foord (Hurtig, 87), Russo (Blackstenius, 77)

Substitutes: Zinsberger, Codina, Reid, Kuhl

Manchester United’s starting 11: Tullis-Joyce, George, Janssen, Turner, Le Tissier (C), Mannion (Riviere, 62), Naalsund (Awujo, 46), Toone (Malard, 62), Clinton, Bizet (Williams, 77), Terland (Geyce, 77)

Substitutes: Middleton-Patel, Ladd, Miyazawa, Watson