Blackstenius strikes late to secure Arsenal victory over Liverpool in WSL | OneFootball

Arsenal left it late to win against a struggling Liverpool side in the Women’s Super League.

Former Liverpool star Olivia Smith’s opener was cancelled out by Beata Olsson’s fabulous finish, but Stina Blackstenius’ strike, with 88 minutes gone, won Arsenal all three points.

In a week where reports have come out about dressing room disharmony, Renee Slegers’ side earned a much needed boost at the Emirates.

Although Arsenal and Liverpool are in very different positions in the WSL, both sides will think that they have underperformed so far this campaign. Going into the match, Liverpool were bottom with just two points, while Arsenal were eight points off of first-placed Manchester City in fourth.

The match began just as many expected it would, with Arsenal in the ascendancy. Frida Manuum’s shot on target just two minutes in was easily claimed by Faye Kirby in the Liverpool goal, but it was a sign of things to come.

Liverpool’s clean sheet would not stay intact for long, as Smith found the net with a beautiful strike in the 15th minute. The former Liverpool star cut inside off the left, beating two defenders in the process, before smashing home from 25 yards to give Arsenal a well-deserved lead.

Despite a good start, Arsenal’s issues this season persisted. Against the run of play, Liverpool hit back with their first shot on target after half an hour. Olsson was played through on goal by Mia Enderby before the striker fired the ball into the bottom corner.

Liverpool’s equaliser seemed to suck the life out of an Arsenal side that had opened the game so dominantly. The final stages of the first half became much more even, with both Liverpool and Arsenal struggling to create any chances of note.

But Arsenal came out firing in the second-half and should have been ahead not once, but twice in the opening five minutes. Both times Alessia Russo was the culprit of not putting her chances away. The ball dropped to her in the area twice in quick succession, but the first time she snatched at the effort and fired wide. The second time, her goal-bound effort from a Taylor Hinds cross was denied by a brilliant save from Kirby.

Arsenal would continue to knock on the door and had another huge chance after 65 minutes. Kirby parried a cross from the right straight to Caitlin Foord with the whole of the goal to aim at but the Australian fired well over the bar.

And with ten minutes to go Arsenal thought they had won it. Blackstenius raced through on goal, rounded the goalkeeper, but Gemma Evans’ valiant run back to the goal line allowed her to block the Swede’s effort that looked destined to hit the back of the net.

Blackstenius would eventually get another chance and this time she made no mistake. The striker’s left footed effort smashed into the top corner of the net to win it for the Gunners two minutes from time.

Arsenal now turn their attentions to the Champions League when they face FC Twente in a crucial clash. Slegers’ side will be hoping they can get into the top eight of the league phase.