Arsenal’s inconsistency in entrance of aim and lapses in focus on the again value them dearly in Manchester, as Renée Slegers’s facet threw away factors they need to have taken from a winnable recreation.
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Arsenal solely have themselves accountable after throwing away factors at Manchester Metropolis in a chaotic recreation they need to by no means have misplaced.
Renée Slegers’ facet began effectively however rapidly misplaced management, gifting Metropolis possibilities and searching nervous on the again. When Bunny Shaw rose to go residence, Arsenal have been fortunate to go in on the break only one down.
That they had purpose to be annoyed with the referee after Olivia Smith was clearly taken out by Kerstin Casparij as she broke into the field. There was no try to play the ball and no foul given, certainly one of a number of poor selections within the first half. However they’d have been extra annoyed with themselves.
Picture by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Pictures
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No matter Slegers stated on the break labored immediately. Inside a minute, Emily Fox discovered Mariona Caldentey within the space, and he or she curled a first-time shot into the nook. Arsenal seemed sharper and extra assured, however simply as they began to take management, Metropolis struck once more across the hour mark.
Slegers turned to her bench, bringing on Beth Mead, Stina Blackstenius, and former Metropolis winger Chloe Kelly, who acquired a heat welcome from the house crowd. The modifications labored, and Arsenal’s stress lastly informed when Kelly levelled the sport with an excellent strike from distance that looped into the highest nook.
Seconds later she nearly repeated it, flashing a shot simply extensive.
Then, with solely minutes to go, it fell aside once more. A easy lengthy ball excessive was managed by Shaw, who arrange Iman Beney to fit previous a helpless Daphne van Domselaar. It was the third time Arsenal had fallen behind, and this time they couldn’t reply.
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The outcome was a missed probability in each sense. With Chelsea dropping factors in opposition to Manchester United on Friday, this was the proper alternative to shut the hole.
As a substitute, Arsenal’s gradual begin to the WSL season continued, and Slegers will know that poor ending and sloppy defending are costing her facet dearly.