WSL: Arsenal v Manchester United

Doubleheader part 2. Please share with anyone who might be interested. Retro Kit Day: dust off your favorite vintage AWFC gear! Kit swap takes place during match.

Let's try this again.

Arsenal’s first home match of the season was frustrating. A 0-0 draw with newly-promoted Crystal Palace saw them dominate almost everything except the score: 79% possession, 30 shots (9 on target), and 2.56 xG. The Gunners hit the woodwork twice, created three big chances and forced eight saves, forcing Palace’s into making 73 clearances. After a 1-0 win in the opener at Brighton courtesy of Lisa Baum, Renée Slegers’ side have four points and sit fifth in the early table. There’s plenty of new blood bedding in, including Baum, Georgia Stanway, and former Barcelona and United defender Ona Batlle. Baum, Stanway and Mariona Caldentey all offered encouraging attacking signs against Palace, while Olivia Smith, Stina Blackstenius, Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum gave Arsenal even more firepower from the bench. The chances are coming; now it’s about putting a few of them in the back of the net.

United, meanwhile, have had a difficult start, losing both of their matches including a 5-0 thumping by Chelsea last time out. Eva Olid has taken over as manager, with a reshaped squad following a summer of departures and arrivals. Seven players left and only four arrived, including Monica Jusu Bah and Rebeca Bernal, leaving Olid with limited time to establish her ideas. United’s defensive organisation was badly exposed against Chelsea, and they will need a significant improvement at both ends of the pitch to avoid another long afternoon. Three of the last four WSL meetings have ended in draws, with Arsenal winning the other, a 4-3 thriller at the Emirates in May 2025.

Come early, stay late, and make a proper day of Saturday’s doubleheader. Once the men have dealt with Brighton & Hove, stick around and make some noise for the women– there’s no reason to go home early!

VCC


UTA

KEEP THE FAITH ✊