WSL: McCabe brace leads Arsenal to victory over Bristol City

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·23 October 2023

WSL: McCabe brace leads Arsenal to victory over Bristol City

Following their disappointing 5-0 defeat to Manchester City, Bristol welcomed Arsenal to Ashton Gate for the final WSL game of the weekend. Arsenal went into the game unbeaten in the league having pulled off a late win over Aston Villa last weekend.

Starting XIs

Bristol

Clark; Powell, Layzell, Aspin, Connolly, Rodgers, Furness, Napier, Thestrup, Jones, Morgan

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Arsenal

Zinsberger; Wubben-Moy, Catley, Little, Walti, McCabe, Maritz, Foord, Pelova, Russo, Codina

Bristol City vs Arsenal: How it went

A wonder goal from Katie McCabe got the goal-scoring action underway for the visitors. The Ireland international fired the ball home beyond Olivia Clark to put the Gunners ahead just seven minutes in. However, an unexpected goal for the hosts followed just nine minutes later as Rachel Furness restored the deadlock. The midfielder’s inch-perfect header left Manuela Zinsberger unable to keep the ball out.

Despite Arsenal dominating much of the first half, the Gunners were unable to find a second. The two sides went in level at the break with the hosts having spent the majority of the opening spell in their defensive half.

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A second for McCabe shortly after the break put the visitors into the lead with just over forty minutes left to play. Despite trailing by a goal, Bristol maintained their tight defensive shape throughout the game and frequently forced their opponents back as they launched a quick counterattack.

The Gunners took all three points from the 2-1 win. The victory, however, was far from the comfortable affair many had predicted ahead of kick-off. Bristol’s defensive display was a far cry from the nervy first-half performance the Robins had experienced against Manchester City. The win leaves Arsenal seventh in the table whilst the hosts remain bottom, yet to pick up a point.

Up next

Bristol will face back-to-back away days after the international break. The Robins will first face West Ham in the league before making the journey to face Arsenal in the League Cup.

Arsenal will welcome an in-form Manchester City in the WSL ahead of the meeting with Bristol. Jonas Eidevall’s side will then face three subsequent away days across the two competitions.