Olivia Smith scored a dramatic 91st-minute winner as Arsenal Women beat Paris FC 1-0 at Meadow Park in their latest pre-season friendly.
Renée Slegers’ side looked set to be held to a goalless draw before Smith produced the decisive moment in added time, cutting inside from outside the penalty area before finding the top corner.
The victory continues Arsenal’s preparations for the new Women’s Super League campaign, with one further Meadow Park friendly against Charlton Athletic to come on Wednesday.
Olivia Smith gives Arsenal Women late Paris FC win
Arsenal started with four summer signings as Misa Rodriguez, Georgia Stanway, Lisa Baum and Selina Cerci were handed opportunities from the first whistle.
ReadArsenal covered Slegers’ confirmed starting XI before kick-off, with Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius initially among the substitutes.
Neither side managed to find a breakthrough during the opening 90 minutes.
Smith finally changed that in the first minute of added time.
After receiving the ball outside the penalty area following a pass from Blackstenius, the Canada international moved inside before producing a superb finish into the top corner to secure a 1-0 Arsenal victory.
Arsenal’s official match report confirms Smith’s 91st-minute strike proved the difference at the Mangata Developments Stadium.
Arsenal continue WSL preparations
Smith’s winner provides another positive result during a busy pre-season for Slegers’ rebuilt squad.
Arsenal had previously suffered a 3-2 defeat against AC Milan as Selina Cerci scored her first goal for the club, while several new arrivals have continued to receive significant minutes.
Sunday’s fixture also completed the third part of ReadArsenal’s Paris FC match coverage after our guide explaining how to watch Arsenal Women against Paris FC earlier in the day.
Attention now turns quickly to Wednesday.
Arsenal face newly-promoted WSL side Charlton Athletic at Meadow Park in their final confirmed pre-season friendly before beginning the league campaign away at Brighton on 6 September.
Slegers still has combinations to assess before then, but Smith ensured this latest test ended with another victory.
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