Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat of Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium was never going to be a statement of the Gunners’ title intentions, City’s lead at the top is just too big, but a result against the likely champions still had huge value.
It would take the most almighty of collapses for City to lose their grip on a second league title, 10 years after their first. They are eight points clear of Manchester United, and 10 clear of Arsenal, who have a game in hand.
Renée Slegers’s side have struggled against other top four teams this season. Until their thumping 2-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago, they had collected three points from four Women’s Super League games against City, United and Chelsea, with a defeat against City in the reverse fixture and draws in the others.
The Gunners have looked a different side since riding out a slow start to the year, this game against City and the defeat of Chelsea sandwiching their victory in the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup.
The Champions League holders are now two points behind second-placed United, with that game in hand, and the win, courtesy of Olivia Smith’s first-half goal, keeps them firmly in the hunt for a place in Europe next year.
