A fantastic team performance in front of a sold-out Emirates Stadium secured a crucial WSL victory against Manchester United.
Goals from Cloe Lacasse and Kim Little secured the three points in the first half, which now move us to within striking distance of the top of the table.
What happened
Jonas Eidevall made two changes to the side that lined up in the Conti Cup quarter-final against London City Lionesses, with Sabrina D’Angelo and Beth Mead stepping in. With Leah Williamson and Amanda Ilestedt both missing from the matchday squad, Laia Codina earned her first WSL start since October - the last time we faced United.
It was a nervy start for our Gunners as Nikita Parris pounced on a loose back pass in the opening minutes and Sabrina D’Angelo was forced out of her area to clear.
Man United continued their frantic opening to proceedings, but we kept our composure in defence and settled into our rhythm going forward.
A well-won set piece proved to be our breakthrough after just ten minutes. Katie McCabe whipped in a fierce delivery from a corner, the ball was turned into the net by Man United forward, Geyce and Emirates Stadium erupted.
Buoyed by the opening goal, our side pushed for another with Beth Mead and Cloe Lacasse causing plenty of problems for the Red Devils on their respective wings.
Around the half-hour mark, a quick free-kick found Mead, who in turn curled a pass down the line to a storming Victoria Pelova. The Dutch midfielder cut the ball back and as Katie Zelem attempted to clear the danger, Lacasse was there to head past Mary Earps for her third goal in two games.
From that moment on, the result never looked in doubt as we relentlessly pursued a third - the pace and directness of our wingers proving too much against United's full-backs again and again.
Just before half-time, Lacasse zoomed to the byline to find Mead waiting in the area, but a mistimed tackle from Gemma Evans brought down the winger from Whitby before she had a chance to shoot. The referee pointed to the spot and Kim Little did what Kim Little does best, smashing the penalty into the back of the net.
With the game all but sewn up in the first half, concentration and continued intensity were the order of the second.
The second 45 minutes had a host of chances to further extend our lead over United, who we hadn't beaten in the league since 2021.
In one instance, McCabe fizzed in a fantastic cross but Earps was able to collect before Stina Blackstenius got a touch. Beth Mead rattled the inside of the post minutes later following a good piece of skill from Kim Little, only to hit the woodwork again when Maya Le Tissier got a deflection.
Blackstenius, whose hold-up play and fierce work down the channels was vital throughout, nearly got on the scoresheet too, but a one-on-one with Earps proved unfruitful.
In the depths of stoppage time, United caught us unaware from a corner and Lucia Garcia tapped in a consolation goal at the far post, stealing away a clean sheet at the last moment.
What it means
With the win, we moved to within three points of Chelsea and Man City at the top of the WSL table.
Our squad now heads off for the international break, with a huge north London derby at Emirates Stadium awaiting them on their return.
Team news
Arsenal starting XI: D'Angelo (GK), McCabe, Codina, Wubben-Moy, Catley (Foord, 84), Walti, Pelova (Cooney-Cross, 46), Little (C) (Miedema, 75), Mead (Maanum, 75), Lacasse, Blackstenius (Russo, 66)
Subs: Zinsberger (GK), Bouhaddi (GK), Reid, V. Lia
Manchester United starting XI: Earps (GK), Le Tissier, Blundell, Toone, Zelem, Evans (Galton, 46), Naalsund (Ladd, 70), Garcia, Turner, Parris (Malard, 77), Geyce (Williams, 62)
Subs: Tullis-Joyce (GK), Mannion, Guerrero, Aherne
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