Arsenal fail to break down Tottenham in WSL derby stalemate | OneFootball

Arsenal failed to capitalise on the chance to move up to third, dropping points for the fifth time this season in a bitterly disappointing 0-0 draw with their north London rivals Tottenham.

The Gunners had desperately needed a win to maintain any pretence of being title contenders, but despite their dominance at Brisbane Road, they could not break through the well-marshalled Spurs defensive structure.

Renée Slegers had said Arsenal’s midweek collapse from 2-0 up to a 3-2 defeat against Bayern Munich “should be” a catalyst for change, with the Gunners having also endured a frustrating 1-1 draw with Chelsea in their previous league outing. “We have to get back, we will get back,” the manager had promised, but that turnaround did not come against Tottenham.

Their title aspirations were dented at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, and their Champions League defence took a hit in midweek, but results elsewhere had fallen kindly with both Manchester United and Chelsea dropping points.

The atmosphere at Brisbane Road for the north London derby was electric, a record attendance of 6,788 set for Tottenham women at Leyton Orient’s ground. This was the 12th meeting of the two north London sides in the Women’s Super League, with Arsenal dominant with nine wins to Tottenham’s solo victory and one draw between them. Despite the hefty record against Tottenham, this fixture presented a big test with Spurs thriving under new manager Martin Ho and level on points with their rivals going into the game on Sunday.

That aided the tense and intense environment, the stand of Arsenal fans behind Daphne van Domselaar’s goal embarked on their own loud rendition of anthem North London Forever shortly after kick-off before the home support attempted to drown them out. It felt like a derby of consequence, for perhaps the first time.

The home team edged possession in the first half, but it was Arsenal that created more, though none were gilt-edged, with Kyra Cooney-Cross, the only change to the starting XI for Bayern, firing wide and Alessia Russo also putting the ball past the post.

Changes came for the visiting team at the break, Beth Mead and Katie McCabe switched out for the summer signings Taylor Hinds and Olivia Smith.

Smith’s impact was instant, her pace caused issues for left-back Amanda Nilden and a powerful strike from a tight angle was pushed away by Lize Kop as Tottenham’s resilient defensive structure shook a little but was not broken.

It was all Arsenal in the second half and red shirts relentlessly pounding at the white wall but to no avail, big chances lacking.

Two big tests of Arsenal’s physical and mental mettle await next week, as they host Real Madrid in the Champions League next before welcoming Liverpool to the Emirates, with Gareth Taylor’s side boosted by a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday.

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