Arsenal Women’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United still stands as the club’s last Women’s Super League fixture at Emirates Stadium. This report was refreshed on 27 September 2026. It now includes full arsenal women player ratings from a match Smilla Holmberg rescued in stoppage time.
Latest Update: Late Holmberg Goal Earns Emirates Draw
The result leaves Arsenal with one win and two draws from their opening three Women’s Super League matches of the season. Slegers’ side had opened with victory over Brighton. Crystal Palace then held them goalless, before Manchester United arrived at Emirates Stadium. United led through Julia Zigiotti in the second half. Holmberg’s 94th-minute strike denied them all three points.
For the full detail of how those ninety-four minutes unfolded, see our original coverage of the draw.
Arsenal Women 1-1 Manchester United: Match Narrative
Slegers made a bold call before kick-off. She started Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius together for the first time this season. The pairing arrived on the back of a goalless draw against Crystal Palace and offered fresh attacking intent going forward.
United broke the deadlock midway through the second half. Zigiotti pounced on a defensive error at the back to slot home and put the visitors in front.
Arsenal kept pushing, and their persistence paid off deep into stoppage time. In the 94th minute, Leah Williamson lofted a delivery to the far post. Holmberg arrived to turn the ball home and snatch a point for her side.
Arsenal Women Player Ratings vs Manchester United
Smilla Holmberg was Arsenal’s standout performer. She popped up with the latest of her late goals to rescue a vital point for her side. Leah Williamson also caught the eye, supplying the assist that turned a losing afternoon into a share of the spoils.
Further forward, Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius started together for the first time this season but could not find a way past a well-organised United back line. Their movement troubled United early on. Clear chances proved hard to come by once the visitors settled into shape.
At the back, Arsenal will want more composure after a costly individual mistake let Zigiotti in for the opener. Holmberg’s late intervention meant the error did not define the afternoon. Any arsenal women player ratings verdict from this game will point to her impact as the difference between defeat and a shared point.
What Happens Next for Renée Slegers’ Side
Slegers must now decide whether to persist with Russo and Blackstenius as a strike partnership after a mixed first outing together. Both forwards showed touches of quality. Neither found the end product Arsenal will need against tougher opposition.
One win and two draws from three league games leaves Arsenal’s season finely balanced heading into the coming weeks. Consistency in front of goal remains the priority for Slegers. She will look to convert draws into victories.
A quick turnaround took Slegers’ squad into Champions League action against HB Køge before the next league fixture. For how that match unfolded, see our coverage of the HB Køge trip.
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