Man United 1-1 Arsenal: Renee Slegers drops her first points as interim boss after Melvine Malard scores late equaliser to rescue a draw for the Red Devils
Jonas Eidevall may no longer be Arsenal head coach but the problems his team faced during his reign continue to linger.
This was a painfully familiar tale of plentiful possession and chances but little to show for it.
It looked as if they had finally taken advantage of their domination when Alessia Russo put them ahead in the 63rd minute. But another of Arsenal’s flaws – conceding soft goals – saw United gain a leveller through substitute Melvine Malard.
Before that equaliser, the stats showed Arsenal had taken 17 shots to United’s three and had 43 touches in their opponents’ box compared to United’s four in theirs.
By full-time, Arsenal had taken 19 shots and had 49 touches in the box compared to United’s six shots and 10 touches.
Alessia Russo put Arsenal Women ahead but they were held to a draw by Manchester United
Russo celebrates with her team-mates after scoring against her former club on Sunday
Melvine Malard netted the equaliser for Manchester United Women in the 82nd minute
That has been the story of Arsenal’s season so far and if they will win nothing unless they start turning their possession into goals.
‘That’s why the disappointment is so big today,’ interim boss Renee Slegers said of Arsenal’s failure to convert their chances. ‘Performance wise, so many positives. We’re getting close to converting more.’
United remain unbeaten but know they will need to play better if they are to remain in the mix for the rest of the campaign. This was their biggest test of the season so far and they failed to give a record crowd of 8,348 at Leigh Sports Village much to get excited about.
‘We weren’t at our best today,’ United boss Marc Skinner admitted. ‘I felt we dug in, we stuck in, then you ride that luck. It wasn’t a beautiful football game. I’m happy we’ve come out with a point.’
The best piece of football came when Russo opened the scoring against her former club, converting Emily Fox’s cut-back with a first-time finish.
It was the striker’s first league goal of the season and had looked as though it would be enough to give Arsenal victory.
But United levelled via a set-piece in the 82nd minute. Gabby George’s in-swinging corner was headed towards goal by Rachel Williams. Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar tried to catch the ball but was beaten to it by Malard, who flicked it over her head and into the net.
The best piece of football came when Russo opened the scoring against her former club. Mariona Caldentey played the ball through to Emily Fox down the right and her cut-back was finished first-time by Russo. It was the striker’s first league goal of the season and had looked as though it would be enough to give Arsenal victory.
A jubilant Melard celebrates her goal with team-mates Jayde Riviere and Simi Awujo
Interim boss Renee Slegers knows Arsenal cannot keep giving up leads this easily
But United levelled via a set-piece in the 82nd minute. Gabby George’s in-swinging corner was headed towards goal by Rachel Williams. Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar tried to catch the ball but was beaten to it by Malard, who flicked it over her head and into the net.
It was systematic of the soft goals Arsenal have leaked this season. Interim boss Renee Slegers will remain in charge until at least the next international break but knows this team cannot continue to give up leads as easily as this if she wants to be given the job permanently.
