WSL: Arsenal held goalless by Everton as Courtney Brosnan shines | OneFootball

A week after a gritty 1-0 win away from home against Leicester City, Arsenal returned to the Emirates to face an Everton side down on their luck. The woes of the week before continued to shine over N5 as the Gunners were without answers against a stalwart but un-attacking Everton.

Arsenal were unable make a mark on the match as the Toffees held them to a 0-0 draw, despite 21 shots from the home side.

Starting XIs

Arsenal

Daphne van Domselaar; Emily Fox, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Laia Codina, Mariona, Beth Mead, Kim Little, Katie McCabe, Frida L. Maanum, Alessia Russo, Kyra Cooney-Cross

Everton

Courtney Brosnan; Honoka Hayashi, Clare Wheeler, Justine Vanhaevermaet, Lucy Hope, Megan Finnigan, Veatriki Sarri, Sara Holmgaard, Katja Snoeijs, Elise Stenevik, Karoline Olesen

Both sides struggle to capitalise

Arsenal were out of the blocks early on. Any chance of a goal was blocked by a tight Everton defence and a Frida Maanum handball. An Everton return was similarly blocked before Katie McCabe sent the ball far over after some patient buildup.

Some silky link-up between Mariona, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Alessia Russo saw the Australian into the box, but her chance was just wide. A mistake at the back from Everton saw Arsenal with a chance from range. Mariona’s shot was saved well by Courtney Brosnan.

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The Arsenal woes continued to haunt them. Patient yet slow buildup saw Everton with too much time to break down the side. Likewise, the lack of finishing chances held the game at 0-0 at the 30 minute mark. Whilst the home side combined well with one another, the lack of clean shots hindered them.

Tight and timely Everton rained a pain on the Gunners. The defence was compact and solid and minimised Arsenal’s efforts well. On the counter-attack, Veatriki Sarri’s shot from distance called Daphne van Domeselaar into action. The effort was tipped onto the bar for a corner. Two corners later, the game was still 0-0 with Everton unable to captialise on the set pieces.

As half-time approached, Arsenal turned to desperation. A Fox shot from distance was too, just wide. A shot while later, a header from the full-back was just over, as she continues searches for her first Gunner goal. The half ended 0-0.

Strong Everton defence frustrates Arsenal

The second half started much the same as the first. A lack of pace and finesse continued to cost the Arsenal of chances. Meanwhile, Everton’s defence was strong and compact. A fiesty midfield saw Cooney-Cross stuck into the action deep into her own half.

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Cooney-Cross continued to grow into the match, pulling forwards to create chances in midfield. The chance created for Maanum was straight into the hands of Brosnan. A foul saw Arsenal send the ball in but any chances were seen straight to the hands of Brosnan, once again.

Even with substitutes, Arsenal looked lacklustre and uninspired. A flurry of set pieces saw the Gunners into the box, but Brosnan continued to have every answer. Desperation set in as the 90 approached. Chances from Maanum, Stina Blackstenius and Caitlin Foord were without a goal.

Standout players

Courtney Brosnan was a standout between the sticks for Everton. With an answer to everything Arsenal threw at her, Brosnan was calm and collected. The Irish keeper played a vital role to keep her side in the game.

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Kyra Cooney-Cross was a player who grew into the game. The Australian had a standout second half at the base of Arsenal’s midfield. Both defensive and offensive, Cooney-Cross was creating chances and blocking Everton’s too.

An underwhelming, slow Arsenal performance summed up a cold afternoon in North London. Everton were without answer down the other end but snuffed out Arsenal’s chance with a stellar performance from Brosnan.

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