Ireland captain Katie McCabe produced a player of the match performance as Arsenal opened their WSL campaign with an all-action 2-2 draw against Manchester City at the Emirates yesterday. Starting at left-back, McCabe contributed brilliantly in defence, intervening regularly with crucial interceptions and blocks while also displaying her creativity in attack. Manchester City striker Vivianne Miedema scored and made another goal against her former club, who needed a late Beth Mead strike, following good work in the build-up by McCabe, to secure a share of the points.
After City finished second last term and Arsenal third, the drama began early, with Frida Maanum firing the Gunners ahead in the eighth minute, the Norway international burying the ball in the top-right corner after a slick move down the right. It was almost inevitable that all-time WSL top scorer Miedema, who joined City as a free agent in the close season after seven years at Arsenal, would get on the scoresheet, and the Dutch international struck in the 42nd minute with a heavily deflected effort that wrong-footed keeper Manuela Zinzberger. Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord had an effort ruled out for offside early in the second half and instead it was City who went in front, Jess Park collecting Miedema’s headed knock-down before smacking a sumptuous half-volley in off the underside of the bar to make it 2-1.
Arsenal’s Mead was to have the final say, however, as she reacted quickest after fellow substitute Rosa Ka.