Live Blog: 4th take on 3rd as Arsenal Women face Manchester City in crucial WSL clash

Renee Slegers' side have slipped out of the Champions League positions after defeat to Chelsea



Live Blog: 4th take on 3rd as Arsenal Women face Manchester City in crucial WSL clash

Credit- Suzy Lycett @boodlepim


Live BLog Sunday Feb 2nd

Please stand-by, this page will automatically update with live commentary and comments

  1. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:53 #6410

    FULL TIME: Man City 3-4 Arsenal!

  2. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:52 #6409

    90+5' Amanda Ilestedt comes on for Beth Mead. 3-4

  3. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:49 #6408

    90+2' Superb recovery tackle by Mead on Fowler to help Arsenal retain possession. 3-4

  4. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:47 #6407

    90+1' Five added minutes. 3-4

  5. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:46 #6406

    89' Ilestedt had looked set to come on and was in discussion with the coaches but has now continued warming up, along with Nighswonger and Codina. 3-4

  6. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:45 #6405

    88' Rosa Kafaji replaces Stina Blackstenius. 3-4

  7. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:44 #6404

    87' Arsenal have finally found some control in the game and Walti has played a massive part in it after her introduction. Surprised she didn't come on at half time, but if her minutes were limited today then she's still played a pivotal role. 3-4

  8. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:41 #6403

    84' Hasegawa crosses for Shaw, Williamson gets something on it and loud appeals for handball are waved away. 3-4

  9. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:40 #6402

    83' Amanda Ilestedt looks set to come on. 3-3

  10. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:37 #6401

    81' Blackstenius has struggled upfront today but nothing can stop her scoring against Manchester City. Lovely move from Arsenal, Beth Mead the provider and Blackstenius scores down the same end where she turned around last season's game! 3-4

  11. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:36 #6400

    78' GOOOAAAAL! Stina Blackstenius is Arsenal’s hero against Man City once again, slotting home from close range to make it 4-3! She's had her chances today, but couldn't miss there from Mead's low cross. 3-4

  12. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:34 #6399

    77' What a remarkable game of football that could still go either way. And we've got to do all this again on Thursday in the semi-final! 3-3

  13. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:31 #6398

    74' Russo's shot is blocked on the edge of the area before Maanum's clever chip finds Blackstenius. She volleys over the bar first time and no surprise, the flag is raised. 3-3

  14. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:30 #6397

    73' Again City lose possession and Mariona gets into a great position, but her pass is straight to a defender. Wasteful. 3-3

  15. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:26 #6396

    69' Lia Walti comes on for Kyra Cooney-Cross. 3-3

  16. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:25 #6395

    68' Keating is miles off her line as Blackstenius runs through down the left side but the goalkeeper is somehow able to hold her up, with the chance coming to nothing. 3-3

  17. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:25 #6394

    68' Good defending by Wubben-Moy to glance away Kerolin's cross with Shaw lurking. 3-3

  18. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:23 #6393

    65' Miedema is replaced by Kerolin for her home debut after being signed in January, and Park comes off for Shaw. 3-3

  19. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:22 #6392

    65' Blackstenius races in behind again but Keating flies off her line to clear. 3-3

  20. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:21 #6391

    64' Lia Walti will come on for Arsenal shortly. 3-3

  21. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:20 #6390

    63' Miedema breaks into the box but sandwiched by Wubben-Moy and Williamson, with van Domselaar able to gather. 3-3

  22. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:19 #6389

    62' Wubben-Moy sends a long ball over the top looking for Fox but there's too much on it. Where will this game go next? 3-3

  23. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:15 #6388

    59' Haven't had a chance to see the penalty back but by all accounts the foul was outside of the box. The assistant referee had a perfect view, which is why the ref waited to consult with her. 3-3

  24. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:14 #6387

    59' Arsenal go again! Blackstenius is one on one but shoots wide, seemingly via a deflection. 3-3

  25. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:12 #6386

    55' Goal. Fowler slams home from the spot and City are back level. 3-3

  26. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:12 #6385

    55' City have a penalty after Catley drags down Fujino! It's all happening. Just inside the box, the referee and her assistant agree. 2-3

  27. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:09 #6384

    51' Arsenal are back in front straight after conceding, Frida Maanum with an excellent finish across goal into the corner after being played in behind by Mariona. 2-3

  28. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:08 #6383

    50' Goal. Miedema scores against her former club for the second time this season as Arsenal lose the ball in a dangerous area, and she slots home. 2-2

  29. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:06 #6382

    49' Blackstenius dispossesses Aleixandri and drives all the way into the box, but the defender is back to put a foot in. 1-2

  30. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:05 #6381

    48' Close! Maanum's shot falls for Blackstenius but the ball pings off her boot away from goal, and the offside flag is raised. The Swede might be relieved to see it go up, if anything. 1-2

  31. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:02 #6380

    46' Arsenal will continue unchanged however, as the second half gets underway. 1-2

  32. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:00 #6379

    Lia Walti is warming up pretty vigorously on her own at half time.

  33. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 13:00 #6378

    Early goals from Mariona and Wubben-Moy gave Arsenal the perfect start but City have controlled the game since, reducing the deficit when Fowler headed past van Domselaar. A real test for the Gunners to come.

  34. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:58 #6377

    Half time: Man City 1-2 Arsenal

  35. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:47 #6376

    45+2' Van Domselaar saves well down to her left to keep out Fujino. 1-2

  36. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:45 #6375

    45+1' Important block from Wubben-Moy to deny Roord after Fujino found space, before Mead clears from Miedema. All hands on deck for Arsenal at the moment. Two added minutes. 1-2

  37. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:43 #6374

    43' Roord drags down Fox and Arsenal win a free-kick. Fowler has been very lively for City and their resistance against Arsenal's press has improved as the half's worn on. 1-2

  38. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:39 #6373

    40' City have a free-kick about 20 yards into the Arsenal half. Fowler sends it in but Fox heads away. Five minutes until half-time, with Arsenal struggling to create since their early goals. 1-2

  39. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:36 #6372

    37' Catley's corner is half dealt with by Keating in goal but the referee blows for a foul. 1-2

  40. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:34 #6371

    34' Arsenal are pickpocketed again and Miedema drags a shot narrowly wide on the turn. 1-2

  41. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:31 #6370

    32' Arsenal assistant coach Aaron D'Antino out of his seat and barking out instructions every time his side lose possession- off the ball it's been a difficult half hour for the Gunners without Walti or Little

  42. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:28 #6369

    29' Excellent save now by van Domselaar to spring across to her right and palm away Hasegawa's long-range effort. 1-2

  43. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:27 #6368

    28' Mariona wins the ball off Aleixandri again, Cooney-Cross sets up Russo and her first-time shot is driven straight at Keating. 1-2

  44. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:25 #6367

    25' Miedema has space to cut inside and shoot from range but her Netherlands teammate van Domselaar is able to save rather routinely. 1-2

  45. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:23 #6366

    24' City work a corner short and Fujino's cross skims the crossbar! 1-2

  46. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:21 #6365

    22' Arsenal were struggling out of possession and City were able to create a good few chances after the Gunners made it 2-0. That goal had been coming. 1-2

  47. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:20 #6364

    20' Goal. Fowler heads home for Man City from a deep cross from the right wing and City's spell of pressure is rewarded. 1-2

  48. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:17 #6363

    17' City are enjoying some possession now and Fowler's ball in is cleared by Williamson before Aleixandri's powerful drive isn't far from the top corner on the rebound. 0-2

  49. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:14 #6362

    14' Park then sends in a cross for Miedema which she heads behind for a goal kick. 0-2

  50. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:13 #6361

    13' Fowler glances a header wide from a deep cross before over-hitting her own delivery. 0-2

  51. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:12 #6360

    12' "Set piece again ole ole" sang the Arsenal fans before that corner was floated in. That was a seriously brave header by Wubben-Moy, who was absolutely clattered in the process but got back up to tap the Arsenal cannon on her chest to celebrate. 0-2

  52. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:10 #6359

    11' Excellent tackle by Alexiandri who recovers well to challenge Blackstenius in the box. Keating fists away the following corner. 0-2

  53. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:08 #6358

    8' GOAL! Goooaaaal! Cooney-Cross floats in a free kick and Wubben-Moy rises at the back post to head bravely past Keating. 0-2

  54. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:07 #6357

    8' City conceded in the first minute of the second half against Man United and Aston Villa, and the first minute of the game here. Very, very fragile defensively at the moment. 0-1

  55. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:06 #6356

    7' Russo gets into the box past Casparij but her cross is headed away. 0-1

  56. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:04 #6355

    3' City respond as Wubben-Moy blocks from Miedema before Roord fires over. 0-1

  57. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:01 #6354

    1' GOAL! Mariona puts Arsenal in front after 43 seconds, winning the ball back and finding the bottom corner- the perfect start! 0-1

  58. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 12:01 #6353

    1' Russo starts on the left wing, Mariona through the middle. 0-0

  59. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:59 #6352

    Underway! 0-0

  60. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:59 #6351

    Now time for "Blue Moon" which is rather hummed by a few home fans like a church hymn. It is still Sunday morning, I guess.

  61. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:57 #6350

    The flamethrowers give us a bit of much-needed warmth in the press box whilst the music is ramped up!

  62. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:56 #6349

    Here come the teams!

  63. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:55 #6348

    Arsenal are in red and white and City in their usual light blue.

  64. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:50 #6347

    The teams have finished their warmups and are going through their final preparations. The reverse fixture finished 2-2 at Emirates Stadium, and these two sides meet again in the Conti Cup semi-finals on Thursday night.

  65. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:45 #6346

    Huge chants of "Super Jen Beattie" from the away end towards the now-Sky Sports pundit, who played for both of these sides

  66. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:45 #6345

    Huge chants of "Super Jen Beattie" from the away end towards the now-Sky Sports pundit, who played for both of these sides

  67. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:40 #6344

    Arsenal dropped to fourth place after last weekend's defeat to Chelsea, but can leapfrog both Manchester clubs up to second if they beat City. It's a tight race for the top four, unless you're Chelsea, of course.

  68. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:39 #6343

    Both sides are out warming up on a chilly morning here in Manchester, in the shadow of the Etihad Stadium. Arsenal have been allocated just shy of 400 away tickets, which sold out in a flash.

  69. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:35 #6342

    Have to say, the live band here at the Joie Stadium are absolutely superb. American Boy then Valerie, very groovy. Take note, Chelsea!

  70. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:26 #6341

    So Stina Blackstenius, the hero here last season, starts upfront, with Alessia Russo available out wide or in the number ten role.

  71. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:24 #6340

    Man City subs: Yamashita, Layzell, Kerolin Nicoli, Blinkilde Brown, Shaw, Prior, Oyama, Murphy, Davies.

  72. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:23 #6339

    Man City: Keating; Ouahabi, Knaak, Aleixandri, Casparij; Park, Hasegawa, Roord; Fowler, Miedema, Fujino.

  73. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:22 #6338

    Arsenal subs: Zinsberger, Williams, Codina, Ilestedt, Nighswonger, Reid, Peacock, Walti, Kafaji.

  74. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:22 #6337

    Arsenal: Van Domselaar; Catley, Wubben-Moy, Williamson, Fox; Cooney-Cross, Maanum; Mariona, Russo, Mead; Blackstenius.

  75. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:21 #6336

    Team news is in, with a number of absentees for Arsenal.

  76. Freddie Cardy at the Joie Stadium: 11:20 #6335

    Good morning (I hate this kick-off time) and welcome to the Joie Stadium for our live coverage of Arsenal Women's trip to Manchester City.


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