Arsenal beat Leicester in must-win WSL clash to keep alive title hopes
A piece of Frida Maanum magic ensured Arsenal 's kept alive their faint hopes of winning the WSL title with a 1-0 win over relegation threatened Leicester.
Arsenal were frustrated for over an hour by the Foxes, before Maanum curled home a sensational strike that was good enough for all three points. Only four days on from their heartbreaking last gasp Champions League exit to Wolfsburg, The Gunners were flat for large periods, not helped by Katie McCabe seeing a very early penalty well saved by Leicester keeper Janina Leitzig.
The visitors defended well and came close to taking the lead twice through Hannah Cain. But Maanum got the all-important breakthrough with a stunning strike and only good goalkeeping from Leitzig prevented her giving Arsenal breathing space.
The win leaves the Gunners still in fourth six points off leaders Man Utd, but still with a game in-hand. Here at the talking points from Friday night at Meadow Park.
Arsenal leave it late but Maanum magic makes the difference
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Where would Arsenal be without Frida Maanum? The Norwegian is arguably their player of the season so far along with Katie McCabe and made the difference this evening.
With over an hour gone in this one, Leicester were more than holding their own and had just missed a huge chance through Hannah Cain. The home side looked a little flat and out of ideas.
But when substitute Jodie Taylor showed quick feet to tee up Maanum just inside the edge of the box, the game turned in a flash. Arsenal's top scorer in the league produced a magnificent curling effort to break the deadlock, with Meadow Park erupting in unison.
It was perhaps the one real moment of quality in a tight game, from the best player on the pitch. A strike worthy of winning any game.
Frida Maanum scored a superb goal to settle a close gameLeitzig again shows worth to Leicester
WSL signing of the season is looking a hard one to call. But few could argue no mid-season signings have had a greater impact than Janina Leitzig.
The on-loan Bayern Munich stopper was again keeping Leicester in the game right from the off at Meadow Park. When stand-in skipper McCabe was brought down in the penalty area it looked like Arsenal would on their way to a straightforward win.
But Leitzig had other ideas. The keeper got down brilliantly, diving low to her right to keep out McCabe's penalty. Had that gone in, Leicester could have faced a long evening.
Katie McCabe sees her penalty savedKirk will be encouraged that survival is in Leicester's grasp
Considering they were without a point going into the Christmas break, Leicester's revival under Willie Kirk is one of the WSL's most remarkable tales this campaign. Last week's win over Liverpool was a statement victory in their surge towards survival.
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And although they were unable to take further points from this evening, it was an encouraging display from Kirk's team, who now look one of the favourites to secure survival from the bottom four. Had Hannah Cain showed a little more composure in front of goal on the hour mark, they may well have gone into a shock lead that Arsenal would have struggled to recover from.
Instead Cain was denied by Sabrina D'Angelo and only a few minutes later Maanum made the crucial breakthrough. But they showed enough here to suggest they will be fine and a home fixture against West Ham on May 21 will give them a great opportunity to do that.
Title challengers won't have it their own way in the run-in
Just like Chelsea on Wednesday, Arsenal were pushed all the way by a bottom-half side. In the same way Liverpool refused to be a pushover against the Blues, Jonas Eidevall's side were given a real test by a Leicester side transformed since Christmas.
The Foxes are of course still fighting to fend off the threat of relegation, but the way they showed up and battled tonight was testament to their recent improvement. It also highlights the quality throughout the WSL.
Nowadays even the lower teams can go away from home to title contenders and create a close contest. Those expecting the top four battle to be settled on the penultimate weekend, when Chelsea face Arsenal and the Manchester clubs do battle, may be in for a surprise. Instead the title could well be settled by which team is most consistent against the bottom half.
Beattie's renaissance at the back continues
On the night of 150th appearance for Arsenal, Jen Beattie was once again one the Gunners' best performers. Although the attack looks a little out of gas, the hosts were assured at the back with Beattie continuing her good run of form.
Beattie has excelled in recent weeks, her header against Wolfsburg on Monday capping a fine run of form. Just a few months ago, her chances of breaking back into the first team looked remote.
But the Scott is one of the most reliable performers at Eidevall's disposal and gave another solid display at the back here, before the Swede switched to a more attacking formation in search of a winner, replacing her with winger Steph Catley.
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Jennifer Beattie of Arsenal poses with an award for 150th Arsenal appearances prior to the FA Women's Super League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Meadow Park on May 05, 2023 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Eidevall has to find a way to keep Arsenal's season burning
Only an hour or so after Monday's exhausting, emotional defeat to Wolfsburg, Arsenal manager Eidevall was already turning his thoughts towards this game and the rest of the WSL season. When asked about Arsenal's chances of fighting again to win the European Cup next year, the Gunners' coach pointed out his side need to qualify first.
It may feel as if that defeat to Wolfsburg was the end of the world, but the Conti Cup winners still have a huge amount to play for. Even if finishing top looks difficult, finishing in the top three to qualify for the Champions League again is a must for a club of their stature.
It won't be easy. Both Manchester clubs and Chelsea are in great form. But Arsenal have always found a way to stay in the fight throughout the season - don't rule out the Gunners from the top three just yet.
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