Arsenal finish 2nd in WSL after 4-3 win over Man United

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Arsenal secure second with thrilling 4-3 win vs. Man United

Arsenal hold off Manchester United to claim second in the Women's Super League with a 4-3 victory at the Emirates.

May 10, 2025, 10:18 am

LONDON -- Arsenal pipped Manchester United to a second-place finish in the Women's Super League with a 4-3 win at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

While both sides had already secured Champions League qualification for next year going into the clash, clinching second-place means Arsenal will avoid an extra round of qualification for the group stages.

Chloe Kelly gave the home side an early lead before fellow Lioness Ella Toone drew United level shortly after. A second-half flourish saw Arsenal score thrice in the space of 10 minutes, through a Mariona Caldentey penalty and strikes from Frida Maanum and Kim Little.

Elisabeth Terland came off the bench to pull a goal back for United in the 70th minute before Maya LeTissier's penalty six minutes later raised nerves in the ground.

Arsenal kept United at bay in the closing stages, and were given a raucous sendoff by the majority of the 46,603 fans in the Emirates ahead of their Champions League final against Barcelona later this month.

United too have a final to look forward to, with Marc Skinner's side facing WSL champions Chelsea in the FA Cup final next weekend.

Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who has the joint-highest clean sheets in the league, made an uncharacteristic spill in the 2nd minute which Kelly pounced on to put Arsenal ahead. The Manchester City loanee was Arsenal's standout performer in what could be her final home game for the club, and was voted player of the match.

However, United weren't behind for long. Melvine Malard drew a stunning save from Manuela Zinsberger with a shot from the edge of the box and from the resulting corner, Toone headed home from close range in the 12th minute.

The equaliser drew defiant chants from the home supporters, and Arsenal went close to regaining the lead through Foord and Maanum.

The second half was marked by the defensive indiscipline that is typical for games at this stage of the season. However, with places in finals up for grabs, both sets of players weren't short on intensity.

Arsenal's biggest game this season is yet to come, with the Women's Champions League final on May 24.
Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal restored their lead five minutes after the break after Foord's darting run drew a penalty that Caldentey coolly slotted home for her 18th goal of the season. An immaculate through-ball from Katie McCabe was clinically finished by Maanum six minutes later.

Arsenal captain Little continued her good form with a powerful finish from just inside the box at the hour mark to get the party started at the Emirates. But United wouldn't go down quietly.

A poor pass out from the back from McCabe was pounced on by Terland, who finished past a flailing Zinsberger. The Ireland international was at fault a few minutes later after a rash tackle on Celin Bizet in the box gave United a penalty that Le Tissier scored with aplomb.

The visitors were unable to ride their momentum to get an equaliser but will take heart from their showing ahead of next week's FA Cup final.