Man Utd 2-2 Arsenal: Player ratings as late Gunners equaliser shares points at Leigh Sports Village

FROM LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE - Arsenal struck in injury time to claim a 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Friday evening and avoid a second consecutive defeat to start the new WSL campaign.

The enthralling match-up had fans rapt as an early goal from Stina Blackstenius had a rebound in their sights. Yet as things derailed for the visitors, who struggled to take their chances, United succumbed to a late goal to share the points in front of a club record 8,312 fans.

How the game unfolded

Alessia Russo was welcomed back to her former ground with a cold reception. United fans booed her every move, while chants criticising the 24-year-old peppered Leigh Sports Village. The ever-present Arsenal fans did their best to drown out the negativity with praise for their shiny new signing.

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall made six changes to his starting XI including dropping Manuela Zinsberger, who failed to keep a clean sheet last weekend, for Sabrina D'Angelo, who only registered four WSL starts last season.

Blackstenius opened the scoring for the Gunners after Steph Catley spotted her run down the left flank. Mary Earps, who expressed her desire to sign for the visitors only weeks ago, was let down by Hannah Blundell being caught out of position, leading to the Gunners taking the lead.

Yet it did not take long for D'Angelo, failing to clear a long ball, to gift Leah Galton the equaliser with an empty net to aim at.

While Eidevall may have temporarily regretted his change in goalkeeper, reintroducing Victoria Pelova to the XI proved incredibly beneficial as her dominance and pace in the middle piled pressure on United skipper Katie Zelem.

Russo had a perfect chance to claim bragging rights over her former side in the 67th minute, forcing a big save from Earps to deny her. Her second effort came even closer. Twisting in the box to shake off defenders, it was the woodwork that stopped her this time.

Those missed chances would prove crucial minutes later as another Le Tissier through-ball found Melvine Malard. On her debut, she exploited miscommunication in the Arsenal backline to secure a late lead.

But it would be short lived as substitue Cloe Lacasse snatched a last-minute equaliser for the visitors, lifting Arsenal's dismal start to the campaign.

United were the only side to beat Arsenal twice last season, doing the league double over them. However, so early on in the new campaign, the draw proves just how tight the WSL title race will be this season.

Man Utd player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Mary Earps - 6/10 - Probably one of her less impressive performances but she was let down by some shaky defending.

RB: Gabby George - 7/10 - Looked sprightly and did well to minimise Arsenal's attack.

CB: Maya Le Tissier - 8/10 - Proved a great threat with the long balls over the top.

CB: Mille Turner - 7/10 - Had an excellent game but was let down towards the ending of the fixture.

LB: Hannah Blundell - 5/10 - Struggled and did not do well defensively. Was caught out of position that led to the first goal.

DM: Katie Zelem - 6/10 - Had a decent game but got lost and struggled to provide a passage for play in the middle.

DM: Hayley Ladd - 6/10 - Did well but struggled against Pelova. Found more footing after she was subbed off.

RM: Lucia Garcia - 7/10 - One of United's best goalscoring threats and her pace caused issues for Arsenal's back line.

AM: Ella Toone - 6/10 - Struggled to retain possession and beat down the press Arsenal were playing with.

LM: Leah Galton - 7/10 - Sent the score level and once again, was prolific moving forward.

ST: Geyse - 7/10 - Looked sprightly but struggled to net a goal.

Substitutes

SUB: Rachel Williams (72' for Geyse) - 6/10 - Could have done more to look threatening but pressed well.

SUB: Melvine Malard (76' for Garcia) - 7/10

SUB: Hinata Miazawa (76' for Toone) - 7/10

Manager

Marc Skinner - 7/10 - Made the right subs at the right time but he struggled to contain the side when they began to panic.

Arsenal player ratings (3-4-3)

GK: Sabrina D'Angelo - 5/10 - Had a good game until she messed up the clearance that led to the equaliser. But she did well to recover.

CB: Jen Beattie - 7/10 - Did well in defence and matched the run's of Arsenal forward's well.

CB: Amanda Ilestedt - 7/10 - Was unfortunate during Malard's goal but was impressive at the back.

CB: Laia Codina - 6/10 - On her debut, she did well to solidify the backline.

RM: Noelle Maritz - 6/10 - Physicality held up the right side well.

CM: Lia Walti - 6/10 - Footwork proved fruitful but she was unable to capitalise on passes.

CM: Victoria Pelova - 8/10 - Did exceptionally well in the middle.

LM: Steph Catley - 7/10 - Did well defensively and pressing forward.

RW: Alessia Russo - 7/10 - Returning to her old club, she was sprightly but struggled to take her chances.

ST: Stina Blackstenius - 8/10 - Looked the most promising of all Arsenal's attacking threats.

LW: Kim Little - 7/10 - Playing more on the left, she did well to use the flank to Arsenal's advantage.

Substitutes

SUB: Caitlin Foord (59' for Blackstenius) - 7/10 - Provided a clinical attacking threat.

SUB: Katie McCabe (59' for Codina) - 7/10 - Used her physicality well and exploited weaknesses from Blundell.

SUB: Frida Maanum (59' for Pelova) - 8/10 - Scored but was offside. Did well to apply mounting pressure.

SUB: Lotte Wubben-Moy (82' for Beattie) - N/A

SUB: Cloe Lacasse (86' for Maritz) - 7/10

Manager

Jonas Eidevall - 7/10 - Made the right changes but did not survive the game without a booking.

Player of the match: Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal)