Match Report: Leicester City vs Arsenal

Leicester City took on Arsenal at the King Power Stadium on Sunday 29th of September at 15:00pm, which ended in a 1-0 win to The Arsenal. 

Both Arsenal and Leicester City drew their games on Matchday One of the 2024/25 Women’s Super League Campaign. 

STARTING XI: 

Leicester City: Kop, Tierney, Bott, Howard, Rantala, Mouchon, Cayman, Thibaud, Goodwin, Momiki, Mace. 

Arsenal: Van Domselaar, Wubben-Moy, Codina, Mead, McCabe, Maanum, Walti, Foord, Russo, Wienroither, Cooney-Cross. 

KICK OFF: 

As both teams came out of the tunnel, we saw a late substitution for Arsenal before kick-off, this was Emily Fox replacing Laura Wienroither. 

Leicester City tried taking the lead early in the first ten minutes but was closed down by the Arsenal defence line.  

However, down the other end of the pitch, Arsenal received an early corner in the fourth minute.  

Shortly after, Arsenal had an early free kick, which was then swept away from a strong Leicester City side. 

Emily Fox used her pace down the line to push the Arsenal attacking players up the pitch, however this failed to secure Arsenal the lead.  

Half-Time Analysis:  

A stand-out player in the first half for Arsenal was Lia Walti.  

She held the ball up and created attacking chances for The Gunners as well as defending well and clearing the ball when necessary. 

A stand-out player for Leicester City was Ruby Mace.  

She was another player who held the ball up well for The Foxes.  

She created many chances and was in the right places at the right time.  

Second Half Kick Off: 

The second half kicked off and both teams looked strong and both teams had many chances on goal. 

Ten minutes into the second half, Frida Maanum got her second goal of the campaign, making that, two goals in two games.  

We then saw a triple substitution for Arsenal, Kim Little, Stina Blackstenius and Mariona Caldentey came on, replacing Kyra Cooney-Cross, goalscorer Frida Maanum and Beth Mead. 

Shortly after this, in the 63rd minute, The Foxes made their first substitutions of the game, Saori Takarada and Deanne Rose, replacing standout player Ruby Mace and Missy Goodwin. 

These substitutions were making a substantial contribution into this matchup.  

Daphne Van Domselaar had a quiet game at the start whilst her Arsenal teammates made many counter attacking chances.  

However, whilst the tension was high for Leicester City to take one point, Daphne Van Domselaar made some incredible saves and was outstanding. 

Who do both teams face for Matchday Three of the WSL? 

Next weekend, Arsenal will take on Everton at The Emirates Stadium on Sunday 6th of October at 14:00pm.  

This game will be available to stream on Barclay’s Women’s Super League Youtube Channel. 

Leicester City face Crystal Palace at The King Power Stadium on Sunday 6th October at 15:00pm.  

This game will also be available to stream on Barclay’s Women’s Super League Youtube Channel. 

Featured Image Courtesy of James Boyes via Flickr. No changes have been made to the image