Thrilling Showdown at Old Trafford: Arsenal's Cloe Lacasse stuns with a sensational screamer to secure historic WSL point against Man Utd
Arsenal’s Cloe Lacasse secures a thrilling last-minute draw against Man Utd, stealing the spotlight with a sensational goal Stina Blackstenius and debutant Melvine Malard also found the net in an intense WSL clash Coaches Eidevall and Skinner praise the high-quality game What's next?
Cloe Lacasse salvaged a thrilling 2-2 draw for Arsenal against Manchester United on Friday night, delivering a remarkable goal to secure the Gunners' first point of the new WSL season. United seemed destined for victory after goals from Leah Galton and debutant Melvine Malard in either half, but Lacasse, who came on as a substitute, had the last word by unleashing a sensational strike from outside the box in the dying moments of the second half.
"The performance was impressive. Few teams would come here and outperform us," stated Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall after the match. Eidevall made six changes to his starting lineup after their loss to Liverpool in the WSL opener.
In response, Arsenal's attack revolved around Stina Blackstenius and Alessia Russo, with the Sweden international taking the lead in the 14th minute. Blackstenius skillfully maneuvered past Hannah Blundell and executed a precise shot into the far corner of the net.
Arsenal faced a setback when Sabrina D'Angelo, who was brought in as a reinforcement by Eidevall, made a costly goalkeeping mistake. Galton took advantage of this error and scored. Later, Malard showcased her skills by outplaying Amanda Ilestedt and scoring with a toe-poke, in the 81st minute.
Despite their best efforts, including Russo's eagerness to make an impact on the scoreline upon her return to the club where she gained recognition, it seemed like Arsenal was heading towards consecutive defeats in their first two games. However, Lacasse, who was signed in the summer, displayed exceptional talent, leading the game to end in a draw.
How Lacasse stole headlines with late show
The clash between United and the Gunners promised great excitement and intrigue in the battle for the WSL title. However, the outcome left viewers none the wiser as both teams displayed skill and determination. Despite a last-minute astonishing goal from the opposition, United boss Marc Skinner expressed his disappointment but praised his team's resilience. As a result, United now sits at the top of the table, leading the competing pack by one point, while the Gunners find themselves in a mid-table position.
Russo received a less-than-warm reception from the once-adoring United crowd, with audible boos greeting her every touch. Despite this, she displayed an impressive performance on her return and came close to scoring in the second half, hitting the woodwork. However, it was the league's newcomers - Malard and, later on, Lacasse - who truly stole the show on the night.
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Cloe Lacasse scored a 93rd minute screamer to rescue a point for Arsenal
Malard and Hinata Miyazawa, who both signed with United to fill the void left by Russo, teamed up to give United a 2-1 advantage with nine minutes left on the clock. However, Lacasse managed to get possession of the ball in the dying seconds and struck it into the top right corner of Earps' goal. The match was characterized by its fluctuating momentum, with Arsenal largely controlling the game. It also showcased the skill and excellence of both teams, who have strategically strengthened their squads over the summer in their pursuit of the WSL championship.
Russo initiated the opener with great composure, effortlessly passing the ball to Steph Catley, who then swiftly located Blackstenius making a run. Blackstenius outpaced Blundell in a thrilling foot race and skillfully evaded Earps, who had also attracted attention from Arsenal during the summer transfer window.
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Arsenal's Alessia Russo hit the woodwork on her Man Utd return
D'Angelo, the incoming goalkeeper, committed a major error that allowed Galton to score the equalizing goal. Shortly after, substitute Malard made a promising debut by capitalizing on an opportunity and giving United a valuable lead. Then, Lacasse entered the game.
As Eidevall's final strategic move, the Canadian player, Lacasse, clearly displayed her eagerness to make a difference as soon as she stepped onto the field. She energetically moved around, providing her teammates with a reliable option to pass to.
Eidevall: We can't be greedy - happy with point
In the end, a pass in an impressive position from Lia Walti landed in her lap, and from that moment on, everything seemed to fall into place like pure enchantment. Swiftly maneuvering past three defenders dressed in red, she effortlessly secured a share of the points with a truly mesmerizing display of skill and finesse.
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Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall speaking to We:
The performance was impressive. Few teams can come here and outperform us, especially considering our numerous scoring opportunities. It is crucial to align our strategies with the desired outcomes.
Looking back, it will be disheartening to realize that we didn't emerge victorious as we had more opportunities to score.
"Perhaps our desire to score late goals is a sign of our greed. While we are satisfied with the draw, we truly deserved to come out as winners in this game. It was a significant improvement compared to our previous match against Liverpool. Our attacking play showed more energy and fluidity, and it was truly enjoyable to witness."
When discussing the six changes he made to Arsenal's starting lineup, he further commented, "We began the game with one set of players and concluded with a completely different lineup. Our team finished the match stronger than Man United, and we executed that aspect successfully."
Skinner: Top level game good advert for WSL
In a departure from our previous approach, we have implemented a crucial alteration this year. Rather than commencing with the introduction of the starting XI, we now prioritize the bench players' presentation. This change stems from recognizing their immense significance in our team dynamics. These substitutes are the essential tools at our disposal, enabling us to effectuate necessary modifications as the game unfolds.
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Manchester United manager Marc Skinner speaking to We:
I couldn't be more proud of the players. Despite having only trained together for eight sessions, they put in their best effort.
Credit to Arsenal for scoring late in today's match. It was a highly competitive game that fans will surely want to continue watching.
It's a game of cat and mouse. Initially, our objective was straightforward - to avoid being lured into the channel, which unfortunately we failed to achieve. Despite the disappointment, we demonstrated resilience and turned the situation around.
In the final moments, they scored an extraordinary goal, which can happen occasionally. Nevertheless, we must take an offensive approach. As Manchester United, playing on our home ground, we always prioritize aggression and attacking play.
