Arsenal drop more points as familiar failing bites again | OneFootball

Arsenal’s struggle to finish off matches continued as they let a lead slip late against Manchester United, settling for a frustrating 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Despite controlling large parts of the match and taking the lead through Alessia Russo, the Gunners once again lacked the clinical edge needed to secure three points. A late set-piece equaliser from Melvine Malard ensured United salvaged a point, leaving Arsenal with plenty to think about regarding their inability to close out games.

LEIGH, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 03: Renee Slegers, Interim Manager of Arsenal, looks on after the Barclays Women’s Super League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Leigh Sports Village on November 03, 2024 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The Gunners, who were on top for most of the game away to Manchester United, were unable to close the game after opening the scoring through Alessia Russo and ended up with a single point only, as United equalised late in the game from a set piece by Melvine Malard.

Renée Slegers stayed with her tried and tested starting XI, making only one change from the previous game with Laia Codina dropping to the bench to make way for Leah Williamson.

Steph Catley kept her place at left centre-back, and there was no change in attack with Beth Mead kept on the bench by Caitlin Foord and Mariona Caldentey.

Interestingly, the player that made way for Mead at half-time was Frida Maanum rather than one of the two wingers, with Caldentey moving centrally to exert a better influence on the team’s play.

LEIGH, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 03: Beth Mead of Arsenal is challenged by Grace Clinton of Manchester United during the Barclays Women’s Super League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Leigh Sports Village on November 03, 2024 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

In the end, Arsenal did not manage to finish enough of the chances they created and, despite leading 1-0, they did not close the game out, and United managed to equalise via a set-piece.

LEIGH, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 03: Marc Skinner, Manager of Manchester United, shakes hands with players of Manchester United after the Barclays Women’s Super League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Leigh Sports Village on November 03, 2024 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Not being clinical in front of goal was a recurrent theme last season and also at the beginning of this season. The interim manager acknowledged it happened again in her press conference and also praised the team’s performance. It has to be said, United were kept at bay well and did not have much to show for most of the game in their attacking play.

So, it was overall a good performance, but you have to be efficient in both penalty areas, and it did not happen on the day, and not for the first time.

LEIGH, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 03: Alessia Russo of Arsenal celebrates scoring her team’s first goal with teammates during the Barclays Women’s Super League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Leigh Sports Village on November 03, 2024 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

I don’t think there is an easy solution to that finishing problem, otherwise, the staff and players would have already found it. They need to find ideas to remove that mental block that exists in the players’ minds, otherwise, it could be a long and difficult season ahead of us.

If there was any doubt that Arsenal were out of the title race following the poor start of the season that led to Jonas Eidevall‘s resignation, it is now 100% clear that they are only fighting to finish in third place this season.

The table does not lie: Arsenal are trailing the leaders Manchester City by seven points and runner-up Chelsea by six points, with Chelsea having a game in hand and therefore virtually nine points clear.

There are currently four teams battling for the third and final Champions League qualifying place: Brighton with 13 points, Manchester United with 11 points, Arsenal and Liverpool with nine points each.

With Brighton visiting the Emirates Stadium on Friday evening, Arsenal will have an opportunity to close the gap to third place to one point.