The first Barclays Women's Super League clash of 2026 saw 10-player Manchester United maintain the deadlock to draw 0-0 with European champions Arsenal.
Despite a strong start from the Reds at the Emirates Stadium, it was the home side who dominated the majority of the game. United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce was called into action on multiple occasions but proved too strong to beat, as a late save denied Victoria Pelova from keeping all three points in north London.
Canada international Jayde Riviere received a second yellow card with 25 minutes left on the clock after a late foul on Caitlin Foord. However, defensive resilience ensured we were able to take a point from the capital.
Positively, January signings Lea Schuller and Hanna Lundkvist both entered the field to make their debuts in the second half for United, who stay fourth in the WSL table, just one point behind the Champions League positions, currently occupied by Arsenal, Chelsea and leaders Manchester City.
Canada international Jayde Riviere received a second yellow card with 25 minutes left on the clock after a late foul on Caitlin Foord. However, defensive resilience ensured we were able to take a point from the capital.
Positively, January signings Lea Schuller and Hanna Lundkvist both entered the field to make their debuts in the second half for United, who stay fourth in the WSL table, just one point behind the Champions League positions, currently occupied by Arsenal, Chelsea and leaders Manchester City.
FIRST HALF
The Reds started the game on the front foot and were almost rewarded for our early pressure. In just the fourth minute, we came close to taking the lead but for an outstretched hand from Anneke Borbe. The German parried Fridolina Rolfo’s header onto the crossbar after Arsenal were unable to clear the previous passage of play.
Moments later, United were almost undone by a swift attack from the Gunners as Olivia Smith was free to run down the left flank. Reds captain Maya Le Tissier was well-positioned to block the Canadian’s cross.
It was the home side who began to dominate play midway through the first half with a multitude of chances falling their way. Mariona Caldentey saw her outside-of-the-box effort sail over the crossbar, while strong defensive efforts from Le Tissier and Riviere prevented Tullis-Joyce from being called into action.
Our no.91 was on hand however to deny Smith from close range minutes later. A superb stop from the United States international as Arsenal began to pile on the pressure.
The Reds started the game on the front foot and were almost rewarded for our early pressure. In just the fourth minute, we came close to taking the lead but for an outstretched hand from Anneke Borbe. The German parried Fridolina Rolfo’s header onto the crossbar after Arsenal were unable to clear the previous passage of play.
Moments later, United were almost undone by a swift attack from the Gunners as Olivia Smith was free to run down the left flank. Reds captain Maya Le Tissier was well-positioned to block the Canadian’s cross.
It was the home side who began to dominate play midway through the first half with a multitude of chances falling their way. Mariona Caldentey saw her outside-of-the-box effort sail over the crossbar, while strong defensive efforts from Le Tissier and Riviere prevented Tullis-Joyce from being called into action.
Our no.91 was on hand however to deny Smith from close range minutes later. A superb stop from the United States international as Arsenal began to pile on the pressure.
A strong 15-minute spell for the Gunners saw them have six efforts at goal, including a cutback to Kim Little, which the Arsenal skipper was unable to divert goalwards.
In the 32nd minute, both sets of supporters came together in applause for Arsenal midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross, who earlier this week announced her mother’s cancer diagnosis, and has since travelled to Australia to reunite with her family.
The first half concluded with Arsenal coming close to breaking the deadlock. A Frida Maanum shot rose over the bar, while Tullis-Joyce had to drop low to catch former Red Alessia Russo’s deflected effort.
In the 32nd minute, both sets of supporters came together in applause for Arsenal midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross, who earlier this week announced her mother’s cancer diagnosis, and has since travelled to Australia to reunite with her family.
The first half concluded with Arsenal coming close to breaking the deadlock. A Frida Maanum shot rose over the bar, while Tullis-Joyce had to drop low to catch former Red Alessia Russo’s deflected effort.
SECOND HALF
United were quick out the blocks in the second half and looked a much-improved outfit after head coach Marc Skinner’s half-time talk. Becoming more expansive, we managed play through the home side’s rigid midfield as Melvine Malard took a long-distance strike. Her effort however curled wide of Borbe’s goal.
It was then time for the Gunners to attack after winning the ball back in midfield. Much like in the first half, Reds skipper Le Tissier was perfectly positioned to clear the danger.
Sensing an opportunity to take the lead, Skinner, in charge of United for the 100th time in the WSL, turned to his bench. Simi Awujo replaced Rolfo, while Elisabeth Terland was substituted for January signing Schuller, who came on to make her debut for the club.
However, the tide changed in the 65th minute when Riviere received a second yellow card for her late challenge on Arsenal substitute Foord.
United were quick out the blocks in the second half and looked a much-improved outfit after head coach Marc Skinner’s half-time talk. Becoming more expansive, we managed play through the home side’s rigid midfield as Melvine Malard took a long-distance strike. Her effort however curled wide of Borbe’s goal.
It was then time for the Gunners to attack after winning the ball back in midfield. Much like in the first half, Reds skipper Le Tissier was perfectly positioned to clear the danger.
Sensing an opportunity to take the lead, Skinner, in charge of United for the 100th time in the WSL, turned to his bench. Simi Awujo replaced Rolfo, while Elisabeth Terland was substituted for January signing Schuller, who came on to make her debut for the club.
However, the tide changed in the 65th minute when Riviere received a second yellow card for her late challenge on Arsenal substitute Foord.
The Gunners almost capitalised on their numerical advantage minutes later as Russo’s effort fortuitously bounced back off Anna Sandberg and into the safe hands of Tullis-Joyce. It was then time for Lundkvist, our other January signing, to make her debut as Awujo was sacrificed following Riviere’s dismissal.
The final 15 minutes saw Arsenal end the match the strongest of the two teams. A tidy touch and turn from Stina Blackstenius was expertly blocked by former Gunner Dominique Janssen, while Tullis-Joyce was called into action once again to claim Foord’s long-range effort.
A nervy end to the match saw strong defensive composure from United who repelled every Arsenal attack that came our way. Most notably when Tullis-Joyce once again showed her worth as she dived low to deny Pelova from winning the game with minutes to spare.
Ultimately, resilience out of possession from the Reds was enough to secure a hard-earned point on the road.
The final 15 minutes saw Arsenal end the match the strongest of the two teams. A tidy touch and turn from Stina Blackstenius was expertly blocked by former Gunner Dominique Janssen, while Tullis-Joyce was called into action once again to claim Foord’s long-range effort.
A nervy end to the match saw strong defensive composure from United who repelled every Arsenal attack that came our way. Most notably when Tullis-Joyce once again showed her worth as she dived low to deny Pelova from winning the game with minutes to spare.
Ultimately, resilience out of possession from the Reds was enough to secure a hard-earned point on the road.
MATCH DETAILS
Arsenal: Borbe; Fox (Holmberg 83), Williamson, Catley (Wubben-Moy 89), McCabe; Little (c), Caldentey, Maanum (Blackstenius 63); Mead (Pelova 83), Smith (Foord 63), Russo.
Subs not used: Williams, Codina, Harwood, Hinds.
United: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier (c), Janssen, Sandberg; Zigiotti, Miyazawa; Malard, Park (Naalsund 83), Rolfo (Awujo 60, (Lundkvist 71)); Terland (Schuller 60).
Subs not used: Rendell, Middleton-Patel, Turner, Drury, Griffiths.
Booked: Tullis-Joyce.
Sent off: Riviere.
Arsenal: Borbe; Fox (Holmberg 83), Williamson, Catley (Wubben-Moy 89), McCabe; Little (c), Caldentey, Maanum (Blackstenius 63); Mead (Pelova 83), Smith (Foord 63), Russo.
Subs not used: Williams, Codina, Harwood, Hinds.
United: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier (c), Janssen, Sandberg; Zigiotti, Miyazawa; Malard, Park (Naalsund 83), Rolfo (Awujo 60, (Lundkvist 71)); Terland (Schuller 60).
Subs not used: Rendell, Middleton-Patel, Turner, Drury, Griffiths.
Booked: Tullis-Joyce.
Sent off: Riviere.