Arsenal Women warmed up for the new season of the Women’s Super League with a 2-1 win over champions Chelsea.
Both teams were missing some of their star names due to their Olympics engagements, but it turned out to be good training in front of an ever-growing crowd at the Emirates Stadium.
After an excellent start, the Gunners, led by new boss Jonas Eidevall, took the lead thanks to Katie McCabe’s excellent finish (28).
Arsenal, who had to replace captain Jordan Nobbs early in the second half due to a bad looking ankle injury, were the sharper side for most of the afternoon and looked on course for victory until Reanna Blades hit Chelsea in 80 minutes.
But Eidevall’s side reacted just two minutes later when Freya Jupp secured Arsenal’s victory with their late goal as they continue their preparations for the new WSL season.
WSL opener: Arsenal vs Chelsea …
Remember that champions Chelsea will begin their title defense against London rivals Arsenal when the Barclays FA Women’s Super League season kicks off on the weekend of September 3rd.
How Gunners secured victory over the WSL champions …
Arsenal started well and Jordan Nobbs almost caught Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger with a long-range shot but the ball landed on the roof of the net.
Chelsea struggled to cope with Arsenal’s pace and movement and Nobbs, who appeared on the left, was close to scoring the goal but her shot was comfortably saved by Berger.
Led by Paul Green in the absence of the sick Emma Hayes, Chelsea struggled to gain a foothold in the game and they were ultimately punished when McCabe converted Frida Maanum’s setback in the 28th minute.
It gave the Gunners, who received an excellent ovation from the growing crowd in the Emirates when they left the field at halftime, a well-deserved lead at break and should have scored more after they had dominated the first 45 minutes.
Arsenal suffered a severe blow shortly after the restart when Nobbs, who was extremely influential to the Gunners in the first half, was forced onto a stretcher after a tough challenge from Erin Cuthbert.
The second half couldn’t get going as both teams were fighting for a bit of rhythm and that didn’t help when both sides made nine changes at the hour.
We made nine changes, 30 of which are to be played …
Patten, Goldie, Boye, Maritz, Walti, Maanum, McCabe, Evans, Mead
➡️ Gillard, Ackerman, Mehmet, Kopf, Herd, Hennessy, Jupp, Godfrey, Henson
1-0 (60) pic.twitter.com/CZLXz3SJIa
– Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) August 1, 2021
However, in the last 10 minutes the game finally came to life and Chelsea thought they’d drawn as Blades took advantage of a weak Arsenal defense to get past Manuela Zinsberger.
The Blues then had a chance to win when Shauna Guyatt burst through the gate, but on that occasion Zinsberger made a crucial block to keep the score.
It proved a costly miss when Jupp, who steered an earlier header out of bounds, held her composure to shoot a left foot past Berger to seal an encouraging win for the Gunners.
Watch the Barclays FA Women’s Super League live on Sky Sports
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Sky Sports has announced a three-year deal with the FA to become the main broadcaster of the Barclays Women’s Super League from September 2021.
In March, Sky Sports announced a three-year deal with the FA to become the main broadcaster of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League from September 2021 and become one of Sky Sports’ flagship offerings.
The deal stipulates that Sky Sports will show at least 35 games exclusively live per season and further strengthens the broadcaster’s commitment to women’s sports.
Sky Sports is recruiting the best on- and off-screen production team in its class as part of a plan to adapt WSL to the broadcaster’s other major sporting leagues and events.
The WSL receives the full Sky Sports treatment with lengthy preparations and reactions to all live games as well as daily news from the competition via Sky Sports News and the digital platforms of Sky Sports.
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Arsenal’s new head coach Jonas Eidevall hopes his side will challenge Chelsea and Manchester City for the WSL title next season
FA Women’s Super League 2021/22: opening of six games
arsenal
3rd-5th September: Chelsea (h)
10.-12. September: A … read)
24.-26. September: Man city (h)
1-3 October: Aston Villa (a)
8-10 October: Everton (h)
5th-7th November: West ham (h)
Chelsea
3rd-5th September: Arsenal (a)
10.-12. September: Everton (h)
24.-26. September: Man utd (a)
1-3 October: Brighton (h)
8-10 October: London (h)
5th-7th November: Aston Villa (a)
WSL on Sky: Big names, Derby days and inspiring girls
The Barclays FA Women’s Super League has a new home on Sky Sports this season. From world-class stars like Lucy Bronze and Vivianne Miedema to competitive derby days, there are many reasons to be excited …
In March, Sky Sports announced a three-year contract with the FA to become WSL’s main broadcaster from September 2021.
The deal stipulates that Sky Sports will show at least 35 games exclusively live per season and further strengthens the broadcaster’s commitment to women’s sports.
The excitement got up a gear with the announcement of the game on Friday and there are plenty of reasons why you should see this season …
