Arsenal Women v Tottenham: Stanway Strikes as Arsenal Women and Spurs Level in North London Derby

Arsenal Women v Tottenham: Georgia Stanway has dragged Arsenal Women back into the north London derby. She hit a fierce 17th-minute equaliser at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, her first WSL goal for the club. The match is under way, and the score is 1-1.

Changes for a must-win derby

Renée Slegers made bold changes for the trip across north London. Ona Batlle, Stina Blackstenius and Lotte Wubben-Moy dropped to the bench. Steph Catley, Taylor Hinds and Caitlin Foord all came into the side.

Misa started in goal. Emily Fox, Captain Leah Williamson, Catley and Hinds formed the back four. Stanway and Kyra Cooney-Cross played in midfield. Lisa Baum and Foord took the wings.

Alessia Russo played in a deeper role behind Olivia Smith. It was a roll of the dice. Russo scored a hat trick in the last derby in March, a 5-2 win.

Kick-off was at 12.45pm.

Stanway’s response

The visitors got off to a strong start, but Stanway stepped up. She put it into the back of the net after a great lead up from Russo. Despite a brave effort by Lize Kop, the ball flew into the net.

“It was a perfect response from Arsenal. Stanway has been scoring for her country recently so it’s nice to see that quality come through at club level,” said Sky Sports pundit Callum Bishop.

A season that needs a spark

Arsenal arrived in poor form. They had won just one of their six WSL games and sat eighth with six points. That win came on the opening day against Brighton.

A 1-1 draw with newly promoted Birmingham last weekend made it five league games without a win. That is a first for the club in the WSL. Olivia Smith rescued a point that day with a fine second-half strike.

Arsenal were also 12 points behind leaders Manchester City. Slegers faced questions about her future and gave little away. “At the moment, I’m not looking at the table,” she said. She added that the motivation in her squad was sky high.

Spurs came in as the higher side

Tottenham started fourth on 10 points. It was the first time they had begun a WSL north London derby above Arsenal.

Their form was shaky, though. Spurs lost 6-1 to London City Lionesses and then 6-2 at Chelsea.

History favours the visitors. Arsenal have won 10 of the 13 WSL derbies, with two draws and one defeat. That defeat came in December 2023, when Martha Thomas scored the only goal at this ground. Last season’s meeting here finished 0-0.