Talking points as Arsenal ignite season with a late win over Man City

05 November 2023 , 15:15

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Steph Catley opened the scoring for Arsenal

Arsenal ensured their WSL title hopes were not left on the bonfire as Stina Blackstenius' late winner downed Manchester City following a howler from Khiara Keating.

Previously unbeaten City had looked to have salvaged a point when Chloe Kelly cancelled out Steph Catley's opener with less than 20 minutes to go. But with time running out, Keating horribly misjudged Katie McCabe's long ball, allowing Blackstenius to roll the ball into an empty net.

The Gunners made a fast start, Steph Catley's overlapping run not tracked and the Matildas full-back fired past Khiara Keating. The City goalkeeper then wiped out Cloe Lacasse in the penalty area, gifting the Gunners a golden chance to make it 2-0.

But Keating immediately redeemed herself with a fine save to keep out Kim Little's spot kick. The visitors then nearly levelled when Lauren Hemp headed onto the crossbar, after Manuela Zinsberger kept out Jill Roord's initial effort. Kelly also missed a golden chance after the break, firing only narrowly past the post, before she did appear to have salvaged a draw. But Keating's error gifted Arsenal a precious win, leaving both sides on ten points.

Here are the key talking points from Borehamwood.

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Keating's chaotic afternoon

Khiara Keating's form since ousting Ellie Roebuck and Sandy MacIver between the posts has been generally excellent. But she had to survive a sticky spell in North London after Catley fired Arsenal in front.

Her attempted clearance from a back pass caught Cloe Lacasse, giving the hosts the perfect chance to extend their lead and seeing Keating booked. But the young City keeper showed her mental strength by diving low to her left to deny Arsenal skipper Kim Little.

It was a massive test of Keating's resolve and she responded magnificently. But her day will sadly be remembered for Arsenal's winner. Way out of her goal Keating got under McCabe's long clearance and failed to make contact, allowing Blackstenius to roll the ball home.

Kim Little's penalty was saved by Keating

Stina Blackstenius celebrates scoring Arsenal's winning goal after an error from Man City keeper Khiara Keating (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Kelly's equaliser breaks Arsenal resolve

For long periods of the second half, City looked to have run out of attacking ideas. With Khadija Shaw well shackled, they were restricted to long-range efforts to test Manuela Zinsberger.

Chloe Kelly had already missed their best chance of the second half, dragging an effort past the post after she got in-behind the Arsenal defence. But the England forward was alive when it mattered in the 72nd minute.

After Shaw found her in the penalty area, Kelly smashed home at the North Bank end, the travelling corner of City fans erupting. At the time the goal looked to have saved a point for City, but Blackstenius had other ideas.

Chloe Kelly saved the day for title chasing Manchester City

City defence impress without Greenwood

Unsurprisingly after her injury in England's 3-2 defeat in Belgium, City had to cope without Alex Greenwood in defence. Ouahabi came into the visitors back four to cover for the stricken Lioness, partnering Alanna Kennedy.

Any side would miss a player of Greenwood's quality, particularly in the form of her career. But minus their early slip-up City were relatively solid, restricting Arsenal to few clear cut chances and making Alessia Russo come deep for the ball.

Taylor's team were always in the contest thanks to their disciplined defensive unit. But they were let down by poor finishing at the other end.

Frantic finish after medical delay

A medical emergency in the North Bank stand caused a late stoppage in play towards the end of the game, not long after Blackstenius appeared to have won it. While the supporter was treated both teams were halted before a lengthy period of stoppage time.

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The two sides had to warm-up before the resumption, which led to a frantic finish in ten minutes of injury time. During this period Zinsberger reacted well to deny Mary Fowler from distance. But City struggled to turn possession into clear cut chances and Arsenal held firm.

Arsenal keep Shaw quiet

Jonas Eidevall had flagged in his pre-match press conference how dangerous Manchester City are from crosses into the box. Almost inevitably Bunny Shaw did carry a huge threat but the Arsenal back four marshalled her well for long periods.

Lotte Wubben-Moy in particular was outstanding in defence, not giving the Jamaican any room inside the penalty area. Bar one moment where a Shaw header came back off the post with Manuela Zinsberger rooted to the spot, she was kept relatively quiet. At least that was was until the 72nd minute.

Battling away, Shaw found half a yard with her back to goal, she couldn't shoot but instead rolled the ball right into Kelly's path, the England winger firing home the equaliser. But it was slightly harsh on Wubben-Moy and Amanda Illsted, who defended excellently for most of the afternoon.

Man City came into the game unbeaten in the WSL

Gunners show title credentials

The opening day 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool has left Arsenal playing catch-up to the other WSL title contenders in the early part of the season. Back at Meadow Park, they needed to deliver a performance to satisfy the hardcore home support and show that they were still in contention for the Championship.

Defeat would have left them six points behind Gareth Taylor's team, which even at this early stage of the season could prove difficult to recover. Blackstenius late goal only came from Keating's howler, but it could prove the turning point in their season.

The sign of champions is to win games when you're not at your best and Arsenal did just that.

Jack Lacey-Hatton