Arsenal Women dropped their first points of the Women’s Super League season after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium.
Renée Slegers’ side dominated possession and created chance after chance, but former Arsenal goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin repeatedly denied the hosts.
Arsenal finished with 79 per cent possession, nine shots on target and 13 corners, compared with Palace’s one effort on target and one corner. Peyraud-Magnin made eight saves as the visitors escaped north London with a point.
It leaves Arsenal on four points from their opening two WSL matches after last weekend’s 1-0 victory at Brighton.
Arsenal Women waste chances against Crystal Palace
Arsenal almost made the perfect start.
Mariona Caldentey struck the frame of the goal inside six minutes before Alessia Russo was denied as the pressure quickly began to build.
The hosts spent much of the opening half camped inside Palace territory, but could not convert that control into the breakthrough.
Russo had several opportunities, while Emily Fox was also denied after advancing from right-back.
Arsenal had made three changes beforehand, with Kyra Cooney-Cross, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Chloe Kelly coming into the side. ReadArsenal’s confirmed Arsenal Women XI against Crystal Palace has the full team selection.
The pattern continued after the interval.
Lisa Baum denied by crossbar
Lisa Baum came particularly close to breaking the deadlock.
The 19-year-old cut inside before smashing an effort against the crossbar as Arsenal continued to search for a goal.
Baum then forced another save from Peyraud-Magnin before creating an opportunity for substitute Stina Blackstenius. Russo also tested the Palace goalkeeper again as the visitors came under sustained pressure.
Slegers responded by turning to her considerable attacking depth.
Blackstenius and Olivia Smith were introduced on the hour, before Caitlin Foord and Kim Little followed with 15 minutes remaining. Frida Maanum was Arsenal’s final substitute.
Yet nothing could break Palace down.
Arsenal created two big chances, completed 627 passes at 90 per cent accuracy and produced nine efforts on target without finding the net.
Arsenal drop first WSL points
The result represents an early setback in Arsenal’s push for the WSL title.
Slegers’ team had started the campaign with victory at Brighton and were expected to build on that result in their first league game of the season at the Emirates.
ReadArsenal had highlighted the selection decisions facing Slegers in our Arsenal Women predicted XI against Crystal Palace.
Instead, Palace frustrated Arsenal despite spending long periods pinned inside their own half.
Arsenal now have four points from two WSL matches and face another major Emirates test next weekend when Manchester United visit on Saturday.
The official Arsenal report also confirms the goalless final score from a frustrating afternoon in north London.
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