Sub's 95th-minute strike rescues Arsenal Women a point against Man United

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Arsenal Women needed until the 95th minute to salvage a point at home to Manchester United, with substitute Smila Holmberg firing into the roof of the net to make it 1-1 and end a scoring drought that had stretched across most of the young WSL season.

The result leaves Renée Slegers' side with five points from their opening three games and just two goals scored all campaign — the first in the 10th minute of the opening fixture, the second arriving deep into stoppage time on Saturday.

Slegers shuffles the pack

Slegers made three changes from the goalless draw at Crystal Palace, bringing Olivia Smith and Steph Catley back into the side while Alessia Russo dropped into the number 10 role to accommodate Stina Blackstenius up front. Kyra Cooney-Cross, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Chloe Kelly all started on the bench.

Arsenal had the better of the early openings without finding the finish. Baum pressed Jess Park off the ball and drove through the middle on 10 minutes, only for her shot to lack power. Mariona placed an effort onto the roof of the net on 27 minutes, and Leah Williamson's quick reaction to Georgia Stanway's low free-kick was saved comfortably by Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

United had their moments too, with Terland twice testing Misa inside a minute on 21 minutes. The best Arsenal chance came on the stroke of half time, Baum crossing for Blackstenius whose powerful header was tipped over.

Zigiotti punishes a mix-up

The breakthrough went United's way on 67 minutes and came from an Arsenal error. Catley's pass to Stanway was returned underhit, leaving the defender off balance on the floor, and Zigiotti pounced on the loose ball before driving past her and slotting through Misa.

Slegers had already turned to her bench, with Holmberg and Kim Little introduced on 58 minutes, followed by Selina Cerci, Caitlin Foord and Kelly. Foord was denied by Tullis-Joyce from just behind the penalty spot, Cerci headed straight at the keeper, and Kelly's effort from range was parried wide.

Six minutes were added on. On 95, Holmberg's cross was not controlled by Cerci, but the ball stayed alive and reached Williamson on the inside left. Her delivery to the far post found Holmberg, who slammed home the equaliser. The referee blew for full time almost exactly on six minutes.

Chelsea and City next

The draw follows last weekend's goalless stalemate at Crystal Palace, and the fixture list does not ease up: Chelsea and Manchester City are next over the following two weeks.

As Arseblog noted in their report, this is the fourth straight season in which Arsenal's opening results have left them playing catch-up in the WSL title race.

Slegers now has a fortnight of fixtures against the two sides expected to contest the title to demonstrate that the attacking issues of the opening three matches can be fixed.