It’s raining goals in the King Power Stadium as Arsenal challenge Leicester City!
On the evening of the 12th November 2023, we were in attendance to go and watch Arsenal Women’s Football Club play Leicester City in their first meeting of the season. The game was hosted at the King Power Stadium, shortly after the Lionesses played there on the 27th October against Belgium.
Jonas Eidevall had made 6 changes to his match-day squad since their previous fixture against Bristol City, with Kyra Cooney-Cross making her first Women’s Super League appearance in-front of 5,321 fans.
8 minutes in, there was an early chance for Arsenal to break into the lead, following a throw-in from Cooney-Cross. This was received by Russo, who headed it towards the goal, but Leicester goalkeeper Leitzeig managed to deflect the ball in the direction of Wubben-Moy, who attempted to shoot, but was just wide of the goal. The game remained at 0-0.
In the 34th minute, Wubben-Moy prevented a near goal opportunity for Leicester, as Hannah Cain passed to Deanne Rose in the hope of a 1-0 lead, but Wubben-Moy managed to make a slight touch, deflecting the ball away from the goal, preventing a lead for the Foxes.
However, this goalless match wasn’t to remain for much longer, as the foxes soon pressed on for another chance at taking the lead, with Arsenal conceding their first goal from Leicester in their Women’s Super League history. Sam Tierney broke the deadlock, jumping high to greet the cross from Lena Petermann, gracing the back of Zinsberger’s net.
54 seconds later, the Foxes scored again. A cross from Petermann to Cayman sent the ball flying past Zinsberger, doubling the Foxes lead, putting them in front by a comfortable 2 goals.
7 minutes of added time in the first half allowed Arsenal yet another chance to get their first goal of the game, however, the whistle blew, and no more goals were conceded. Arsenal now had 15 minutes to change the course of the game, and they did exactly that.
Within the first 3 minutes of being back on the pitch, Arsenal were already exhibiting their passion for winning this game.
Cloe Lacasse and Courtney Nevin battled it out for the ball as they approached the Foxes goal. Lacasse gained possession of the ball, sending it straight into the back of the net. Much to the relief of the Arsenal fans, Arsenal had scored.
Gameplay continued, with both sides pressing more chances in the hope of walking away from the game with 3 points.
53 minutes into the game, Katie McCabe came soaring down the right wing, making a short pass to Russo, who is notorious for putting one past the Foxes. In true Russo style, she managed to send the ball into the bottom corner of the net, whizzing past Leitzeig. The Leicester defence were starting to show signs of tiredness, leaving Russo inexplicably unmarked, allowing for an easy goal for the Gunners. Arsenal were now equal. The away fans for the Gunners were elated, with the chants only getting louder, not knowing what was still to come.
Less than 2 minutes later, Caitlin Foord adds her name to the score sheet, whilst now putting Arsenal infront. Russo passed to Foord who was left unmarked. She then chips it in past Leitzeig, putting Arsenal into the lead 3-2.
Shortly following this, 60 minutes into the game, Victoria Pelova scored her first ever WSL goal, and what a way to do it. Following a pass from Lacasse, Pelova effortlessly slot the ball into the goal, leaving Leitzeig stunned to her spot.
The next goal saw Stina Blackstenius coming into the spotlight, as she expertly makes another goal this season. A short pass from defensive midfielder Pelova lands at the feet of Blackstenius, who briskly propelled the ball into the left corner of the goal, scoring her 3rd goal of the season.
To end off the eventful evening, Lina Hurtig provided the Gunners with one final goal, bringing the end score to a 6-2 win to Arsenal.
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