Arsenal Women closed out their WSL campaign in dramatic fashion on Saturday 11th May, edging Manchester United 4-3 in front of a buzzing Emirates crowd of over 46,000. With second place now wrapped up, this game was also about pride, entertainment, and momentum ahead of the Champions League Final — and Renée Slegers’ side delivered just that.
Chloe Kelly (on loan from Manchester City) stole the show on her return to the starting XI, pressing high and pouncing on a goalkeeping mistake to score within two minutes. She was electric throughout and deservedly named Player of the Match.
Player Ratings v Manchester United
Manu Zinsberger – 6
A tough day with three goals conceded, though she wasn’t directly at fault for any of them. Made one key stop early on.
Emily Fox – 7
Energetic and sharp on the right. Recovered well when dragged into midfield and supported attacks with overlapping runs.
Leah Williamson – 6
A mixed performance. Commanding in spells but part of a backline that looked shaky in transition.
Steph Catley – 6
Unlucky to see a deflection wrong-foot Zinsberger for United’s second. Worked hard and showed composure on the ball.
Katie McCabe – 6
Won’t be pleased to have conceded a late penalty, but her delivery for Maanum’s goal was pinpoint.
Kim Little – 9
Magnificent in midfield. Scored Arsenal’s fourth, oozed calm under pressure, and led by example.
Mariona Caldentey – 9
Silky and creative. Dispatched her penalty confidently and pulled strings throughout the first half.
Frida Maanum – 7
Worked hard and took her goal beautifully. Looks to be building rhythm ahead of Lisbon.
Chloe Kelly – 8.5 (Player of the Match)
Opened the scoring and was a constant menace. Her pressing and dribbling gave United nightmares.
Caitlin Foord – 8
Won the penalty and showed intelligent movement. A tireless shift down the flank.
Alessia Russo – 6
Awarded the FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year for 2024, Russo didn’t have many chances against her old club but worked hard off the ball.
Subs:
Mead, Wälti, Blackstenius, Wubben-Moy, Codina – N/A
All came on late to see out the game.
Manager: Renée Slegers – 8
Managed the game well, rotated sensibly, and kept the team focused despite the defensive lapses.
With the WSL season now complete, Arsenal Women’s focus will be fully on the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final against Barcelona, on 24th May.
Do you have anything to add to player ratings Gooners?
Michelle M
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A needed win to go into the Barcelona game with. But I must admit the defense concerns me. What’s happened to them, since the Lyon game they seem to be sleepwalking their way to the Champions League final.
They better be wide awake for that one, or it could be a torrid night in Lisbon.
I fear for us even more should Zinsberger plays. She looks so cumbersome when the balls at her feet. And as for her positioning at times, don’t get me started.
I even have concerns about McCabe, she doesn’t seem to be the player that she was. A good pass for the third goal, but was at fault for United’s third and fourth goals.
Going forward she’s good, but defensively I’m beginning to question her.
i agree completely with Derek
our defence is so weak that Barcelona could drive a coach and hirses through it
we need a different goalie, Mc Cabe is becoming a liability in her play as well as the risk of getting a yellow and red for dodgy behaviour
play Walti from the start to bind the defence along with Little and consider Nighswoner to start instead of McCabe
Barcelona will be an enormous challenge for us, we need Mead to start and get back to her brilliant best, we need everyone playing at their very best
Caldentey, Foorde, Russo and Kelly pick themselves without a second thought
Manuum scores the odd great goal, but misses plenty too, leave her out of the starting line up please, with Barca we can t afford missed chances
Evan Potts,
While I agree with certain points that you make. I don’t think you can play Caldentey, Foord, Russo, Kelly and Mead in the same starting 11, unless you want to play two of them out of position. So for me it’s any it’s any two from Foord, Kelly, or Mead on the wings. As for Manuum, I think that a lot of her work goes unnoticed, although I agree she could do with scoring a few more.
As for McCabe, she’s better when played further forward. But with the options that we’ve got, we don’t really need to push her forward. But at the same time what with her questionable defensive lapses of late and her constant tendencies to get herself needlessly booked, it’s a tough one to call to be honest.
I think your call on playing Nighswoner at left back has merit to be fare.
I’m glad that it’s Sleger’s job to pick the side, because I’m just confusing myself to be honest.🤣😂👍😉
yes, i don t envy Renee her job, and you make a good point, what i d love to see, along the lines of an old style line up, though i realise it s not the fashion these days, would be Kelly at outside right, Mead at inside right, Russo at centre forward, Caldentey at inside left and Foorde at outside left …
Evan Potts,
I’m even more confused now. 🤣😂👍😉👏
ha ha !
anyway good luck Ladies for the big game
victory against Barca is going to need super human performances by whoever Renee picks, whatever the formation, but with the right determination levels and hopefully big support from our fans and Portuguese ‘neutrals’ a win is not impossible
Evan Potts,
Just a question from me, do you ever comment on the men’s team. I think I’ve seen posts form you in the past, but I’m not sure if I just imagined it. Can you confirm one way or the other please. Thank you in advance. 👍😉
No i ve never commented on them. i do follow their results with interest however….you wouldn t know it but my roots are Lancashire. when not cheering for Arsenal Ladies i support a historic Lancastrian men s team, Blackburn Rovers, they narrowly missed out on the play offs this season, wish Kenny Dalgleish was still their manager ! Also in the men s leagues i rather like, Portsmouth, as i ve several Royal Navy connections…but it s Arsenal Ladies i follow most, i worry this season in case we lose Beth Mead, i m not at all happy we re losing Amanda, i guess we paid her salary during her pregnancy and now that she should be contending for a first team role and threatening to score set piece goals, were losing her…hopefully also we won t lose Lia Walti , i think her contract is 2 years old, Renee needs her to gel our defence better organised and needs Beth back in full form next year if we re to catch up with and overtake Chelsea (my least favourite team) lol
Evan Potts,
It was an interesting insight into your football routes, thank you for replying to my question. I very much appreciate it. 😉👍👏
you are very welcome