Arsenal Women kicked off their pre-season campaign in the USA with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Washington Spirit. Despite a challenging game, marked by some early rustiness, the team managed to secure the win, thanks to a stellar performance from Alessia Russo, who netted both goals.
The match began with Arsenal showing some signs of a long break, nearly conceding early on when Washington’s star striker Ouleymata Sarr came close to scoring. However, goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger was quick to react, deflecting the shot wide with her foot.
Arsenal soon found their rhythm, and just 10 minutes into the game, Kim Little delivered a perfectly timed ball over the Washington defense. Frida Maanum attempted to control it, but a Washington defender's intervention sent the ball high into the air. Russo was in the right place at the right time, nudging the ball into the bottom left corner of the net with the outside of her foot, giving Arsenal an early 1-0 lead.
Washington Spirit responded with determination, applying pressure on Arsenal's defense. Their efforts paid off just before halftime when Sarr connected with a cross into the box, heading the ball over Zinsberger to level the score at 1-1.
As the second half began, Arsenal appeared more composed and compact. In the 75th minute, new signing Rosa Kafaji made her mark by setting up Russo for her second goal. Kafaji’s beautifully timed through ball found Russo, who skillfully sidestepped the goalkeeper before placing the ball in the bottom left corner, putting Arsenal back in front.
Washington Spirit continued to challenge Arsenal, with Sarr nearly scoring again in the dying minutes. However, her shot went just wide, and Arsenal held on for the 2-1 win.
This match was a promising start to the pre-season for Arsenal Women, offering a glimpse of the team's potential despite some areas needing improvement. It was a valuable opportunity to see both young and new players in action, and the team’s overall performance suggests a positive outlook for the upcoming season.
