Arsenal’s wait for a home WSL win continues as they drew 1-1 against London City Lionesses on Sunday – their fifth draw in a row at the Emirates this season – with an inspired Mary Earps denying the Gunners victory.
While the result extends Arsenal’s unbeaten home run to 24 league matches, it is becoming an increasing concern and a spectre on the shoulder that the Gunners have been unable to secure three points at the Emirates this year.
Giving her view to Sky Sports after the game, Renee Slegers – managing her 50th Arsenal game – said: “We spent more time than we normally do without the ball; partly the game plan and partly them asking questions of us on the pitch.
“We create big chances, could have done more with those. That’s the frustrating part. This is the fifth (home game) and we couldn’t give the fans the win. Unfortunately we couldn’t do it for them.”
Mary Earps made a string of spectacular saves to keep London City Lionesses on level terms at Arsenal
It was two early goals that decided the fixture too. Frida Maanum scored for a second game in a row – having netted against Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek – slotting home from an Alessia Russo cross to put Arsenal ahead.
But a minute later, London City were level. Leah Williamson lost the run of the lively Izzy Goodwin, and the striker lashed into the roof of the net.
From then on, it was a goalkeeping masterclass from former England No 1 Earps especially that kept Arsenal from scoring another with her counterpart Misa Rodriguez also making her fair share of saves, albeit not as frequently.
The Gunners simply could not find a way past the inspired London City stopper as Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman watched on from the stands.
London City Lionesses were not behind for long as Isobel Goodwin cancelled out Frida Maanum’s opener
The pick of her string of world-class saves came when she tipped a Maanum shot onto the crossbar. It came shortly after substitute Delphine Cascarino had also rattled the woodwork at the other end.
The result does little to improve either side’s WSL standings, and Arsenal’s hopes of finishing in the Champions League places takes another hit. They are sixth on 14 points – already six behind London City in third.
“We were happy with the one point, we wanted and needed three today,” Slegers added. “Every game is three points for Arsenal when we play for this club.
“At the moment, with our position in the table and how we need to stay connected and compete for the top three positions for the Champions League, this one was very important for us.
“With that being said, the season isn’t over. It’s still November and we have to look at what it looks like in May.”
The key moments from the Emirates
10: GOAL! A sweeping move is finished by Maanum after Russo’s cutback to give Arsenal the lead.
11: GOAL! London City immediately equalise as Goodwin fires into the roof of the net.
22: SAVE! Earps makes a good stop to deny Lisa Baum, who cuts in from the right-hand side.
27: SAVE! Misa Rodriguez on hand this time to deny Alexia Putellas.
29: SAVE! Again from Earps! This time it’s a flying effort to keep out another Baum shot.
68: CROSSBAR! Cascarino pings an effort off the top of the woodwork.
77: DOUBLE SAVE! Earps pulls off another brilliant double save, first to deny Smith then Maanum.
85: CROSSBAR! Earps fingertips a Maanum shot onto the crossbar.
How’s your luck? Arsenal face dazzling Earps as home woes continues
Mary Earps reflects on a hard-earned point for the London City Lionesses, as former England team-mate Millie Bright heaped praise on the goalkeeper
Analysis from Sky Sports’ Charlotte Marsh at the Emirates:
Before Sunday’s game, Sky Sports asked whether Arsenal have lost their fear factor at the Emirates this season.
The answer surely has to be yes – although after the game, Slegers was adamant that the fear factor has not gone, despite being without a win.
Teams have come to the Emirates and sat in a low block that the Gunners have been unable to break down more than once.
London City were never going to do that. It’s not in their DNA. They closer resemble the Barcelona team Arsenal faced on Thursday where, funnily enough, they drew 1-1.
But what they might not have been banking on was an ingenious performance from Earps. While Arsenal did not have to worry about defenders sitting back, they did face a goalkeeper putting in one of the performances of the season. How’s your luck?
Isobel Goodwin celebrates after equalising for London City Lionesses at the Emirates
She made eight saves as Arsenal continued to pepper her goal – her most in the WSL since 2017 – and the second-most in the WSL this season after the goalkeeper that replaces her at Man Utd, Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
When asked how she found the game, Earps told Sky Sports: “Tiring. It’s a big point away from home.
“Either team could have won it in terms of chances. Happy with the point – would have liked three. All the girls put their bodies on the line. I love defending. It was tough today and I thought we did a good job.”
It was perhaps made all the sweeter for her that her former England boss Sarina Wiegman was watching on. It is well-documented how she departed the national team, but it certainly showed the Lionesses head coach what she was missing.
Earps has had to bide her time at London City, with Elene Lete continuing to be the No 1 until recently. The former England No 1 has now started in three games, and while she is yet to keep a clean sheet, she will have staked a huge claim to the permeant spot with her performance on Sunday.
“Mary is amazing,” her boss Eder Maestre said after the game. “It’s not just because of the talent she has, she delivers the commitment and the togetherness that she can bring to the team because of her experience. Watching her in that performance was a pleasure.”
Slegers: Players left everything on the pitch
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers to Sky Sports:
“Two good teams going against each other. I think we started the game well, score a very good goal, but we let them come back into the game too easily.
“I must say the players left everything on the pitch. They were absolutely dedicated, playing with hunger and focus. There are things in our game we must do better. We want to be dominating the ball. Being more ruthless. It’s very basic but that’s what it’s about.”
On Maanum: “She was very big for us against Barcelona and good for us tonight again. You can always count on her with runs into the box. The finish was very good.”
On 50th Arsenal game: “I’m proud to represent Arsenal. I want to do everything I can for Arsenal.”
Maestre: Our targets are bigger than a draw with Arsenal
London City Lionesses boss Eder Maestre to Sky Sports:
“We are happy because this kind of environment is always difficult to cope with, but at the same time, we want to win every game so we cannot be (too happy) just because it’s the first time we’ve drawn against Arsenal.
“Our targets are even bigger. We have the hop to have the performance. We improve quite well in the second half. We had the chances, and they did as well.
“They’re one of the best teams in the world and playing knowing that they need the points to push for the Champions League positions. We already knew how close it was going to be.”
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