Holmberg's 95th-minute volley rescues point for Arsenal against stubborn Manchester United
Emirates left breathless as Holmberg strikes in stoppage time
Arsenal were mightily relieved as a 95th-minute Smilla Holmberg volley rescued a point at home to a much-improved Manchester United side, but the draw will do little to erase concerns about how far Renée Slegers' team are slipping behind leaders Manchester City and how frequently they struggle to break down a low block.
A defiant Manchester United stunned the north Londoners as Eva Olid's side claimed the first point of her tenure with a performance that defied all pre-match scripts — and it was very nearly a famous victory, had it not been for Holmberg's last-gasp back-post finish from Leah Williamson's deep diagonal ball into the box, which finally broke the visitors' stubborn resistance.
United's revival under Olid
Widely criticised for dismal displays in opening defeats against London City Lionesses and Chelsea, Manchester United were heavily tipped to struggle again at the Emirates. Instead, an encouraging defensive effort and an against-the-run-of-play Julia Zigiotti Olme strike gave them a precious lead in a display that will buy the former Hearts manager time to work on her style on the training ground and quieten those doubting her.
It is Arsenal now facing scrutiny, however, after failing to win at home for a second straight game and slipping four points behind defending champions Manchester City after just three rounds. Last term, City dropped points in only four games and the early pacesetters have a 100% record. Arsenal's next two WSL games are away to Chelsea and Manchester City.
Slegers: "Four lost points"
"It's not ideal, it's not what we wanted at all, four lost points," Slegers admitted, reflecting on consecutive home draws. "It's round three in the WSL, there are a lot of games left to play. Let's see in May, how it ends. Not converting dominance into wins, that's something we have to look at. We believe in the quality of the squad. When that starts clicking, it's going to be really good."
In truth, this was a result Arsenal could ill-afford, especially after last weekend's goalless draw at home to newly promoted Crystal Palace, where they were surprisingly wasteful in the final third. Slegers' team had scored just one goal from 43 shots across their opening two league fixtures.
How the goals came
The hosts created good openings and looked to have control of midfield. Winger Lisa Baum shot straight at Phallon Tullis-Joyce early on and provided dangerous crosses from the left, while Mariona Caldentey curled just wide and Tullis-Joyce made a fine save to keep out Stina Blackstenius' header. Yet it was United's Elisabeth Terland who went closest in the first half, thwarted by two excellent Misa Rodríguez saves in quick succession.
Arsenal stepped up the pressure after the break, but Georgia Stanway — one of their better performers — made a costly error attempting a simple pass back towards centre-back Steph Catley that carelessly rolled into the path of Zigiotti Olme. The grateful United midfielder confidently stepped around Catley and slotted through the legs of Rodríguez. The Emirates was astonished; the United bench jubilant.
From then on it was backs-to-the-wall for the visitors, much like during the majority of this fixture last term, which ended goalless. Tullis-Joyce dived low and strong to keep out a Caitlin Foord effort and United battled well to clear the danger from several set-pieces as the home side grew increasingly frustrated. The crowd finally erupted as substitute Holmberg earned them a point, leaving United's players on their knees.
Olid's verdict
Olid was pleased with the display, explaining: "After losing 5-0, the focus this week was the defensive shape, because I think the attack will come. Implementing a new style of play needs time. But the effort, the hard work, the intensity, that can never be missing. It was so important to see that today. That is the minimum. Now, from here, little-by-little, we will improve the attacking style."