by Layth Yousif
at Leigh

ARSENAL Women beat Manchester United Women 2-0 to consolidate their lead at the top of the table in glorious winter sunshine at the Leigh Sports Village at lunchtime.

Second half goals from Viv Miedema and Katie McCabe sealed victory for Jonas Eidevall’s side, as the Gunners stretched their unbeaten start to eight games in the Women’s Super League.

The table-topping North Londoners dominated the early stages, with Beth Mead crashing a shot against the bar on seven minutes, while Frida Maanum fired over shortly afterwards. 

In a hard-fought first half full of endeavour and attacking intent from both sides, good link-up play between Steph Catley, Miedema, Maanum and Katie McCabe saw United keeper Mary Earp save well from Noelle Martiz 12 minutes before the break.

With England boss Sarina Wiegman in the stands, taking in one final game before the international break, it was a good time for Jordan Nobbs to replace Kim Little during the interval. 

With the bright winter sun on their backs, Eidevall’s Gunners took the lead 180 seconds into the second half, when Miedema fired a low shot past Earps in the United goal to make it 1-0 to Arsenal. 

Perhaps the 28-year-old former Doncaster Belle between the sticks was slightly unsighted by the blinding sunshine, however, credit should go to Arsenal’s deadly striker who made it six WSL goals for the season.

Miedema also made history as she became the first player in the WSL to score against every team she has faced in the competition.

Speaking afterwards, Eidevall took time to praise the 25-year-old's influence. “You can see how dedicated a player like Miedema is,” he said, adding: “Our defence starts with our forward players and our attack starts with our goalkeeper. 

“We had a much more solid formation [than the 1-1 draw against Spurs in last weekend’s North London derby]. We were much less exposed. It was very pleasing. 

“The good start to the second half made it a pretty easy journey for us after that.”

Arsenal’s lead was doubled nine minutes later through McCabe, when the Gunners’ Dublin-born 26-year-old attacker picked herself up after being fouled by Aoife Mannion to slot home past Earps, to make it 2-0. 

United nearly pulled a goal back when Lucy Staniforth lofted a ball over Arsenal's defence prior to Katie Zelem sidefooted the ball on the volley. Fortunately for Eidevall’s side, keeper Manuela Zinsberger saved well on the way to another clean sheet. 

While Arsenal are top scorers with 26 goals, their redoubtable backline deserves praise in only conceding three league goals so far, in what promises to be a memorable campaign.

As the clock ticked down, Miedema clipped the woodwork when she lifted her free-kick over the wall, but her strike didn’t dip enough to find the net.  

Despite the defeat Marc Skinner’s Red Devils can take great heart from his side’s battling performance. 

As can the vociferous home fans – including Andy Slater, the tireless editor of United burgeoning women’s fanzine Barmy Article – in a crowd of 2,186 assembled at the stadium they share with Rugby League side Leigh Centurions.

As for Eidevall’s imperious Gunners, they continue to march on. 

Reflecting on his excellent start as Arsenal boss after taking over from Joe Montemurro, humble Eidevall added: “We have a very good learning environment – we don’t view [the team] as a finished project.

“That’s what I really like – we learn from when we lose, as much as when we win. 

“That’s the thing I’m most pleased with. 

“I’m still learning about this league, the club, the players. Of course, I’m very pleased with the results, but the most important thing is to keep learning.”

With their next fixture the Women’s FA Cup final, and a date at Wembley Stadium against Emma Hayes’s second place Chelsea following the forthcoming international break, fans would be advised to snap up tickets as soon as they can.

Because, on this form, the showpiece clash should be a cracker.