Arsenal beat Leicester City to keep pressure on WSL top 3

Updated: Oct 12, 2023, 03:19 pm
Frida Maanum scored the vital winner for injury-hit Arsenal against Leicester City.

Frida Maanum's second-half strike was enough for Arsenal to bounce back from their Champions League exit and claim all thee points at home to relegation-threatened Leicester City in Friday's Women's Super League clash.

The 1-0 win keeps Arsenal in contention for a top-three finish and a place in the Women's Champions League for next season as well as maintaining their outside hopes for the title.

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Arsenal are fourth on 41 points from 18 games, two points below third-place Chelsea but having played a game more than their London rivals. Manchester United lead the standings, with 47 points from 19 games.

Knocked out of the Women's Champions League just four days ago, the Gunners went into Friday's game knowing the only way to secure European football for next season is to finish in the top three but have been in a four-way fight all season.

With two games still in hand over the two Manchester teams in first and second, the Gunners will have to be near-perfect to secure a top three berth, not least with their mounting injury crisis that was added to with both Stina Blackstenius and Steph Catley withdrawn with knocks during the second half.

They were presented a glorious chance to take an early lead on Friday after Katie McCabe happily went over Hannah Cain's outstretched leg on her way into the box, leaving referee Emily Heaslip no choice but to point to the spot. With regular captain and first choice penalty taker Kim Little currently sidelined, deputy captain McCabe could only draw a save from Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig.

Leicester have greatly improved over the course of the calendar year and controlled the game well off of the ball, limiting Arsenal's chances and enjoying a few bright moments going forward but couldn't get the better of Sabrina D'Angelo in the home goal.

Struggling against a resolute defence, the Gunners continued to look short-handed in front of goal as they probed for an opening but had to wait until after the hour for Maanum to arc a sweet shot into Leitzig's top-right corner.

The Norwegian midfielder came close on three more occasions for the hosts, with the best of her late chances a free kick that clipped the top of the bar. But, unable to find a cushion, Arsenal were forced to nervously see out the rest of the game.

Leicester failed to find an equaliser to leave them in 10th position, two points above bottom-of-the-table Reading.

The job for Leicester won't get any easier as they're back in action in five days against Chelsea, the same day Arsenal are away to Brighton.