Wasteful Arsenal thank Zinsberger for winning start
For all the euphoria that accompanied the record-breaking attendances at Premier League grounds on this opening weekend of the Women’s Super League, it was in
the humble environs of Hertfordshire that Arsenal shakily started the defence of their title.
It was defined by one moment of goalkeeping mastery. Shortly before added time, seven red shirts camped on the Arsenal goal-line, bracing themselves for Kenza Dali’s indirect free-kick. But none were called into action as the gloved hands of Manuela Zinsberger tipped over Dali’s shot.
Up until the hour, Arsenal had never looked like relinquishing their 2-0 advantage. Beth Mead rippled the bottom corner of the net after 14 minutes, having orchestrated a counter-attack from deep after West Ham left themselves exposed at the back.
For Arsenal’s second, Mead resumed her role as prolific provider, feeding Jill Roord shortly before the interval. The Dutch World Cup finalist wasted no time in opening her WSL account with a composed low finish.
But for all their dominance and industrious movement, Arsenal were guilty of squandering a litany of chances – perhaps none more so than Danielle van de Donk. All five goals the Dutch playmaker scored against West Ham were from inside the six-yard box last season, but she skied a delivery from Lisa Evans as Arsenal searched for a third.
At the other end, the warning bells sounded when Adriana Leon’s header hit the woodwork in what was a dress-rehearsal move for Martha Thomas, who connected with Erin Simon’s cross to set up a nervy finale for the hosts.
“The goal came out of nowhere,” Joe Montemurro, the Arsenal
manager, said. “It was a beautiful cross and a great header, so credit to Martha Thomas for scoring that.
“It just changed the momentum. We were pretty dominant for most of the game but couldn’t find that third goal. The reality is, West Ham are a good team and they’re going to give teams a lot of problems.
“It was probably disappointing it wasn’t three or four. At half-time, I thought we were very good, but you need to put the ball in the net and we didn’t do that enough.”
Arsenal (4-1-3-2) Zinsberger; Maier (Quinn 90), Schnaderbeck (Nobbs 67), Beattie, Mccabe; Williamson; Little, Roord, Evans; Mead, Van de Donk. Subs Peyraud-magnin (g), Mitchell, Grant, Filis. Booked Schnaderbeck, Maier, Roord.
West Ham (4-2-3-1) Brosnan; Simon (Kvamne 72), Flaherty, Vetterlein, Baunach; Midag (Galabadaarachichi 57), Cho; Leon (Lehmann 66), Dali, Longhurst; Thomas. Subs Moorhouse (g), Hendrix, Kizskis. Booked Leon, Galabadaarachichi.
Referee Stacey Pearson.