Arsenal women suffer huge setback after wasting big derby chance

Arsenal Women were held to a goalless draw in the first North London derby of the season at Brisbane Road.

The side knew that a win could move them into third place, yet they failed to take that step. They needed a strong result to keep their title hopes alive, but their pressure did not bring the breakthrough they wanted.

The visitors came into the fixture after a 1-1 draw against Chelsea. They made a sharp start and pushed Tottenham Hotspurs Women back in the early stages of the game.

Their first clear opening came in the 14th minute. A throw-in reached Emily Fox, and she linked well with Alessia Russo. Fox carried the ball inside and hit a decisive left-footed strike, but it went straight at Lize Kop.

Spurs created a good chance soon after. Ashleigh Neville curled a ball down the right channel for Jessica Naz. She drove forward and sent a cross into the middle, but Matilda Vinberg could not reach it.

Arsenal replied with more pressure. Caitlin Foord worked her way into the box and aimed for Mariona Caldentey, but the cutback was blocked and dropped to Kyra Cooney-Cross, who sent her shot just wide of the far corner.

Arsenal kept winning the ball high up the pitch. They reached promising areas but their final pass did not match the build-up.

The score stayed level at the break, and Renée Slegers made two changes for the restart. Taylor Hinds and Olivia Smith replaced Katie McCabe and Beth Mead.

Second-half pressure but no late winner

Smith made an instant impact after coming on. She sped down the right and found Blackstenius with a low pull-back.

The forward tried a first-time finish but sent the ball over the bar. Smith created another moment when her cross reached Fox.

The defender cut inside and shot with her left foot, but it took a deflection and went behind for a corner.

Slegers made another change in the 57th minute as Frida Maanum entered for Stina Blackstenius. Arsenal almost took the lead in style soon after.

Lotte Wubben-Moy stepped out from defence and picked out Maanum. The midfielder flicked a clever pass into the path of Smith. Her low shot was on target, yet Kop kept it out.

The match reached the final ten minutes with both teams still level. A short corner came out to Caldentey in the 81st minute.

She shaped to curl the ball into the top corner but sent it over the bar. Arsenal made a late switch with Chloe Kelly replacing Foord, but the final chance never came.

The game ended with both sides taking a point. Arsenal now sit fourth in the league. Their hopes of pushing Manchester City grow weaker as they try to regain momentum in the title race.

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