Arsenal and Manchester United played out a tense 0–0 draw at the Emirates Stadium in the Women’s Super League, with the hosts left frustrated after failing to convert sustained pressure into goals. Renée Slegers’ side controlled large spells of the contest, particularly after Jayde Riviere’s second-half red card left United playing with ten players. Despite creating a number of chances and spending long periods in the attacking third, Arsenal were unable to break down a disciplined United defence and an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, as Marc Skinner’s side secured a hard-earned point.
First Half: Arsenal take control
Arsenal and Manchester United played out a cagey opening to their Women’s Super League encounter at a roaring Emirates Stadium, with both sides showing early caution as the defences held firm.
The first meaningful opportunity arrived in the 13th minute when Frida Maanum saw her effort blocked after Arsenal began to apply pressure. The hosts increasingly grew into the contest, driven forward by the energy of the home crowd.
Alessia Russo sparked a promising move with an interception in midfield, but Arsenal were unable to capitalise as Maanum and Mariona Caldentey failed to connect in the final third, settling instead for a throw-in deep in United territory. Moments later, Caldentey showcased some excellent footwork, weaving past Maya Le Tissier and Hinata Miyazawa before firing well wide of the target.
Arsenal continued to build momentum after the 15-minute mark. Efforts from Beth Mead and Olivia Smith tested the Manchester United defence, though the visitors remained composed. A corner shortly afterwards led to a brief stoppage as Steph Catley suffered a head injury, but the defender was able to continue after receiving treatment.
Manchester United are pushed back
Russo again troubled United’s back line as she broke free from Miyazawa and delivered a dangerous ball across the face of goal. However, Le Tissier and goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce combined to deny Smith a clear chance at the far post.
The Gunners came closest in the 26th minute when Kim Little arrived onto a low pass inside the box, but her effort from close range drifted wide of the post.
While Arsenal struggled to maintain their dominance for the entirety of the half, they pushed forward once more in the final minutes. Mead teed up Maanum on the edge of the area, but the Norwegian international sent her strike high over the crossbar.
Despite Arsenal’s pressure, the sides went into the break locked at 0–0, with Manchester United weathering the storm and the hosts left frustrated at not turning their momentum into a breakthrough.
Second Half: Red card for Riviere
Arsenal emerged from the break in control of possession but continued to struggle for precision in the final third as Manchester United remained compact and disciplined defensively.
United introduced Lea Schüller and Simi Awujo shortly before the hour mark in an effort to inject energy, while Arsenal continued to probe. Alessia Russo delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area for Frida Maanum, but goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce was quick off her line to intercept.
Renée Slegers made her first changes soon after, bringing on Stina Blackstenius and Caitlin Foord for Olivia Smith and Maanum as Arsenal looked to increase their attacking threat.
The game swung decisively in the 65th minute when Jayde Riviere received a second yellow card for a mistimed challenge on Foord, missing the ball entirely. Reduced to ten players with 25 minutes remaining, Manchester United were forced into a deep defensive block, while Arsenal sensed an opportunity to claim all three points.
The hosts came agonisingly close moments later. Blackstenius and Russo both had efforts from close range, but a combination of Maya Le Tissier, Dominique Janssen and Tullis-Joyce kept the ball out, with Anna Sandberg also clearing off the line to preserve United’s resistance.
Despite their numerical advantage, Arsenal’s momentum was often disrupted by loose passing in midfield, allowing United to reset their defensive shape. When United did break forward, a rare opportunity fizzled out as Malard and Park ran into each other, underlining their attacking frustrations.
Manchester United Hold
With ten minutes remaining, Slegers made a final push by introducing Victoria Pelova and new signing Smilla Holmberg. Pelova immediately made an impact, threading a precise pass into Blackstenius inside the box, but Janssen produced another crucial block.
Arsenal piled on the pressure in seven minutes of added time, creating a flurry of late chances. Holmberg’s cross found Blackstenius, whose effort was again blocked by the outstanding Janssen. Pelova then forced a save from Tullis-Joyce before Kim Little dragged an effort wide from the edge of the area.
Despite spending more than half an hour with a numerical advantage, Arsenal were unable to find a breakthrough. Manchester United, under the guidance of Marc Skinner, showed immense resilience to secure a hard-earned goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium.
For Arsenal, the final whistle brought frustration, having created numerous opportunities without reward, a result that felt like two points dropped rather than one gained.
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