Arsenal 1 LCFC Women 0: Vanquished in Boreham Wood
Leicester City have lost all 15 games against the WSL’s big four since promotion in 2021. This performance against Arsenal, however, was about as close as we’ve come to a point in that time.
Other games stand out - the 2-0 defeat at Chelsea in October 2021 when Kirstie Levell made a series of fine saves only for the opening goal to go in seven minutes from time; the 1-0 home loss to Manchester United a year later when the shot count was almost even.
Other than that, it’s been tough in most games against the likes of Arsenal - shot after shot and, quite often, goal after goal. It wasn’t like that here, which shows the immense progress made in the past few months.
And it’s live!
There was a feeling prior to kick off that this could be Leicester’s best chance yet of forcing an upset against one of the WSL’s elite. Arsenal have a huge number of high profile, long-term absentees, and were coming off the back of a gruelling Champions League semi-final second leg defeat to Wolfsburg.
That match had taken place in front of a sell-out crowd of over 60,000 at the Emirates Stadium. This one took place in front of a fair bit fewer at Boreham Wood. But this Leicester side are starting to look deserving of a bigger stage and it was at least fitting that a live Sky Sports audience saw what Willie Kirk’s team have to offer now.
Leicester pushed Ruby Mace back into a defensive five, bringing in Molly Pike on the right of midfield and welcoming Sam Tierney back into the engine room.
20/20
It was an overworked engine for the first 20 minutes too, as Arsenal probed for an opener. They should have had one after just seven. Lone striker Hannah Cain conceded a penalty, but loan star Janina Leitzig parried Katie McCabe’s spot kick to safety.
Following that nervy first 20, Leicester grew into the game. A short period of dominance began with a chance for Cain, who latched onto Aileen Whelan’s header but was unable to steer the ball over Arsenal keeper Sabrina D’Angelo.
Leicester made it through until half time, something of an achievement itself, but if the first 20 minutes of the first half had been torrid at times the first 20 of the second were anything but. In fact, during that period Leicester had three shots to Arsenal’s zero.
Oh, Maanum…
If there’s one thing this Leicester side has in abundance, it’s full-blooded commitment. Arsenal unquestionably have players with greater technical ability but they found themselves hustled and harried at every turn.
It’s such a great sight to see a Leicester side that must be horrible to play against. That’s one of the things Kirk has instilled since his arrival, though he would point to the players’ efforts before taking any credit himself.
Of course, anyone who has followed any Leicester City side for any length of time knows what happens next in this scenario.
Out of nothing, Arsenal scored. It was a glorious goal from Frida Maanum, who made the most of some rare space on the edge of the area to curl a shot over Leitzig. For once, the German stood no chance.
Kirk made changes in pursuit of a shock equaliser and there were one or two scares for the hosts. They came from the attacking substitutes. Ava Baker miskicked when well-placed from a Mace cross and Remy Siemsen shot weakly on the turn.
Unfortunately, despite ten minutes of injury time, the visitors couldn’t find a leveller and went back up the M1 with nothing to show for a considerable effort.
The battle ahead
Every point counts in this relegation battle, with four teams separated by just three points. One here would have been spectacular. Nevertheless, there was certainly enough to demonstrate Leicester have the ability to see the job through and complete one of the greatest escapes in WSL history.
On Wednesday, there’s another chance to put one over one of the WSL’s established clubs with a return south to face Chelsea.
In the past, that would have been a game we’d have wanted out of the way before the crucial final two against West Ham and Brighton. Perhaps now there’s a bit of hope it can be sixteenth time lucky.
Before then, we have the important business of this weekend’s games featuring our relegation rivals. They all take place on Sunday. First, Tottenham travel to title-chasing Manchester United in a lunchtime kick off. Then Reading, bottom of the table and two points behind Leicester, face Aston Villa at home, while Brighton are at home to West Ham.
Everything has been going Leicester’s way recently. Let’s hope that continues tomorrow. A West Ham win at Brighton would brighten our prospects and a Villa win at Reading would make for happy reading.
