Arsenal Women earned a battling point in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United Women in front of 2,385 supporters at Meadow Park on Saturday lunchtime.

On her birthday substitute Stina Blackstenius earned a draw for Jonas Eidevall's Gunners after a challenging afternoon against obdurate opponents.

The 26-year-old Swede's goal came with 11 minutes remaining after Katie McCabe was sent off after picking up two yellow cards three minutes earlier.

Blackstenius - who only joined Arsenal last month - powered through to slot past United keeper Mary Earps, prompting jubilant celebrations among home supporters.

Earlier, 22-year-old former Chelsea and Brighton midfielder Alessia Russo put the visitors ahead on ten minutes.

However, while Marc Skinner's visitors pressed well from the top, while featuring a solid backline, they will be frustrated at not clinching all three points, albeit against an Arsenal side that simply refused to be beaten.

Determined Arsenal consolidated their lead at the top of the table and now sit on 25 points, with third-place United on 25 points. Manchester City travel to second place Chelsea on Sunday.

Read on for the Gooner Fanzine's Player Ratings

Manuela Zinsberger: 7/10 - Solid in the air with good reflexes when tested

Lia Walti: 6.5/10: Put in a shift

Jen Beattie: 6.5/10 - Could have scored but Russo cleared off the line

Steph Catley: 6.5/10 - The 28-year-old Australian is another Gunner who simply refuses to give up

Noelle Maritz: 6.5/10 - Former Wolfsburg defender put in a shift 

Jordan Nobbs: 7/10 - Always relishes the challenge 

Kim Little (c): 7/10 Never gives up. A battling performance against challenging opponents. Provided excellent cross for Foord to test Earps 

Viv Miedema: 6/10 – Smacked the bar via a touch from United keeper Mary Earps but was another who was slightly under par. Dovetailed well with Blackstenius for the Gunners goal by producing an outstanding through ball. No wonder Leah Williamson described the assist as the best she had ever seen live. Booked 

Beth Mead: 6/10 – Not as influential a display as we know she is capable of

Katie McCabe: 5/10 – Always a lively presence but struggled to get into the game with her frustration boiling over after picking up two yellow cards

Tobin Heath: 5/10 – Replaced by Foord at half time

Substitutes:

Caitlin Foord: 7/10 – Swapped with Heath during the interval. Forced Earps into a tremendous save

Frida Maanum: 7/10 - Replaced Beattie midway through the second half as part of a double substitution

Stina Blackstenius: 8/10 – A fairytale appearance as she powered through to score the Gunners equaliser – and on her birthday too

Simone Boye: 7/10 - On for Mead late on