Arsenal hosted Manchester United for the last WSL fixture of the season. A sunny, lunchtime kick off at the Emirates Stadium saw over 45,000 fans flock to North London to support the Gunners. 

A final chorus of North London forever preceded kick off, as fans took their seats, and the players prepared to start. Just one point was needed for Arsenal to secure second place. 

A quick start from the Gunners saw Chloe Kelly with the ball in the box, after Phallon Tullis-Joyce failed to claim it from a cross. With some clever footwork and a well-timed chip, Kelly scored the opener for Arsenal in only the second minute. Just the start this team needed after a difficult couple of games. 

However, Manchester United were quick to counter, with Grace Clinton taking a shot from range, prompting an excellent save by Manuela Zinsberger, who tipped it over the bar for a corner. The corner saw Ella Toone with lots of space, due to an oversight by Steph Catley, and her header gave the Red Devils the equaliser. 

The end-to-end affair continued, with both teams searching for a second goal. One of Arsenal’s attacks looked promising, as Emily Fox linked up with Kelly, who threaded the ball through to Frida Maanum, who unfortunately sent the shot wide. 

Arsenal continued to work the ball around Manchester United’s box, one move saw almost every player get a touch, but they were unable to find any joy, as Russo committed a foul in the box, and the ball was turned over. Manchester United won a free kick, but a good delivery from Toone was claimed by Zinsberger. 

The half ended a goal apiece after a rather flat 45 minutes, with everyone in the stadium hoping for a more exciting second half. And that is what they got. 

To the delight of the Arsenal fans, five minutes into the half, Caitlin Foord was brought down in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. Mariona Caldentey stepped up, and slotted home one of her signature calm and collected penalties. 2-1. 

Arsenal fans were quickly angered when the referee missed a blatant handball, as Celin Bizet practically caught a dropping ball in the box. No penalty given, but the Gunners didn’t let it stop them, and minutes later Katie McCabe put a great ball through for Frida Maanum who, with a great finish, made it 3-1. 

With Arsenal on a roll, they didn’t look like they’d be stopping any time soon, and another great moment came, when Kelly linked up with Kim Little, who hit a powerful strike and found the back of the net, giving Arsenal their fourth. 

A chance for Manchester United came when they were awarded a free kick to the left of the box, but Toone’s ball over didn’t find anyone. Minutes later, an error from McCabe, a sloppy ball out from the back, saw Elizabeth Terland score a second for Manchester United. 

The Red Devils’ luck continued, as McCabe brought down Bizet in the box, and they were given a penalty. Maya le Tissier slotted home a third for her team, suddenly this tie didn’t feel as certain as it had five minutes before. 4-3.

Both teams tried to keep up the intensity, with Manchester United looking for an equaliser, and Arsenal trying to sustain their lead. Substitutions were made, and seven minutes of added time were announced, much to the dismay of the nervous Arsenal support. 

The Gunners did well to hold off Manchester United’s attempts for a last minute fourth, and the game ended 4-3, with Arsenal taking 3 points, and securing second place in the WSL.