Arsenal v Manchester City: Women’s Super League – live | Women’s Super League

31 min: Arsenal go on the attack again as Cooney-Cross sets the ball to Maanum in midfield, who passes wide to Blackstenius. The striker looks square it across goal, but Greenwood makes a crucial block to steer it clear.

29 min: Fox receives the ball on the right and cuts inside before passing to Maanum. The midfielder goes for goal, but her effort flies over the bar.

27 min: Manchester City are playing very high right now. They need to be careful as Arsenal can be quick on the attack – and they have shown that a few times already in this game.

24 min: Huge chance! Hemp breaks forward on the left and sends a low-driven cross into the box. It runs all the way through to Fujino at the back post, who takes a touch before shooting. However, McCabe makes a fantastic block to keep the ball out.

Arsenal celebrate it like a goal. What an effort from the left-back!

23 min: Manchester City are starting to grow into this game, although they are not forcing anything. It allows Arsenal to get back in numbers, with almost every player behind the ball.

21 min: Hemp receives the ball from Greenwood outside the box and is handed plenty of space by the Arsenal defence. She makes the most of it and goes for goal, but Zinsberger claims the shot with ease.

19 min: City attempt to go on the attack as Miedema works her way towards the edge of the penalty area, but she is quickly cut out by Codina.

A huge cheer erupts from the crowd. Arsenal fans are on cloud nine right now.

16 min: Arsenal have looked the most comfortable of the two teams overall so far despite a shaky opening few minutes. City appear slightly nervous right now.

13 min: Another huge chance for Arsenal! The ball is sent through to Blackstenius, who shifts it past Yamashita on the edge of the box. She quickly goes for goal, but her effort skims the post and heads behind. A major let-off for City.

10 min: Just a matter of moments before that opening goal, Miedema almost broke the deadlock for City. The ex-Arsenal star stole the ball from Little in midfield before unleashing an audacious long-range strike which flew inches past the post.

It’s safe to say the mood at the Emirates changed very quickly just after that…

9 min: Arsenal break forward as Fox sends the ball down to Foord on the right. The winger sends a cross into the box and it falls to the feet of Maanum. She has no blue shirts around her and is able to fire her shot straight into the top-right corner. What a start!

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City (Maanum, 7)

6 min: Codina almost loses the ball to Fujino in a dangerous area, but Arsenal win it back. However, Wubben-Moy gets caught out by Hemp and finds herself under pressure. Luckily for the hosts, the City winger gets penalised for a handball.

4 min: Manchester City appear quite happy just to play around the back in these early stages. A fairly slow start from both sides.

2 min: Gareth Taylor has decided to watch from the stands this afternoon. He’s got a great view of the pitch from the upper tier. Meanwhile, Jonas Eidevall is on the touchline as always.

Kick-off

Fans are still flooding into the Emirates Stadium. Just five minutes to go until kick-off!

Discussing Vivianne Miedema’s return during his pre-match press conference, Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall said: “Viv has such a great history in the club. We wish her the best, I wish her the best. I truly hope that she has a really successful season because I think she deserves that. One of the big problems for us with letting her go is now she plays for our competitor and we know that she’s a very strong opponent against us. We need to focus on our part during the game. We need to make our things as good as possible and from here on that needs to be our focus.”

The story of the day has to be Vivianne Miedema’s return to north London. One of the WSL’s all-time greats joined Manchester City on a free transfer this summer – a move that left Arsenal fans utterly heartbroken. Miedema had spent seven years with the Gunners, winning one WSL title and three League Cups.

With the new WSL season finally underway, I want to hear from you! Feel free to email in with some of your predictions for this season. Top goalscorer, player of the season, you know the drill. And the all-important question – who will lift the trophy in May?

Arsenal fans are making themselves heard ahead of kick-off. It seems last season’s beloved Cloé Lacasse chant has been replaced with a new hit – ‘Shake it Caldentey’

I must admit, it’s incredibly catchy!

Manchester City will be seeking revenge against Arsenal today. Jonas Eidevall’s side all-but ended City’s title hopes in the penultimate match of the 2023-24 season with a 2-1 win at the Joie Stadium following two late goals from Stina Blackstenius. If Gareth Taylor’s side had won that game, it would’ve pretty much sealed the WSL title. But Chelsea mounted a late comeback and took it on the final day with a 6-0 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford.

This fixture has always been a must-watch, and today won’t be any different.

Leah Williamson is not available for Arsenal today due to concussion protocol. Lotte Wubben-Moy and Laia Codina start in the centre of defence for the hosts.

Alessia Russo, Beth Mead, Lia Wälti and new signing Rosa Kafaji are among the Arsenal substitutes. Some huge calls made by Jonas Eidevall.

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Preamble