Categories: Calcio

Miedema on target as Arsenal beat Liverpool in WSL

Vivianne Miedema scored her first Women’s Super League goal since returning from a long-term knee injury as Arsenal battled to victory at Liverpool.

The Dutch forward was out of action for 310 days after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in December 2022 and, in just her second league start of the season, netted the opening goal at Prenton Park.

After a drab first half, Miedema strode forward on the hour mark and her thumping 20-yard effort flew in via a deflection off Liverpool centre-back Gemma Bonner.

Arsenal doubled their lead nine minutes later when Beth Mead burst down the right channel before squaring for Caitlin Foord to finish from close range.

With Liverpool offering very little threat, that was enough to clinch victory for the Gunners in Jonas Eidevall’s 100th game in charge – and move them back within three points of leaders Chelsea.

The visitors dominated possession throughout but it was a sterile domination in the first 45 minutes as both sides struggled to create much of note.

That changed in injury time at the end of the half as Liverpool counter-attacked swiftly. Melissa Lawley powered down the left and put in a teasing cross but Yana Daniels, well placed in the middle, blazed her shot over the bar under pressure from Arsenal skipper Katie McCabe.

Arsenal responded immediately and Foord’s cutback from the byeline squeezed past Liverpool goalkeeper Rachael Laws, but was hacked off the line by defender Niamh Fahey.

The game followed a similar pattern after the break but Arsenal were able to find a way through with a fortunate ricochet allowing Miedema to celebrate a special goal, more than a year since her last.

After Foord made it two, substitute Stina Blackstenius had a number of presentable opportunities but was unable to convert and hit the post in stoppage time.

Meanwhile, England captain Leah Williamson was an unused substitute as she nears a return from her own ACL injury.

Patience is a virtue for Arsenal

At times during a fairly turgid first half, it felt like there may not even be a chance let alone a goal as Liverpool stubbornly rebuffed Arsenal.

But while Eidevall may have wanted to see some sharper passing and a bit more incisiveness around the penalty area, the manner in which they stuck to their task must have encouraged him.

Liverpool defended well but rarely had the chance to get out of their defensive third as Arsenal calmly passed and probed in search of an opening before quickly springing into action to win the ball back when possession was lost.

There was no sense of panic or long shots taken out of frustration and they were rewarded in the second half.

Miedema’s goal had an element of luck – albeit the 27-year-old will feel she has earned that given her extreme misfortune last season – but there had already been signs of tiredness from Liverpool.

The manner in which Arsenal – level on points with second-placed Manchester City – cut through the home side in the last 20 minutes was telling.

They now have their revenge for their defeat by Liverpool on the opening day and it was the assuredness in doing so that is most promising as their title challenge goes on.

Maintaining that may be the best 41st birthday gift Eidevall could wish for.