Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City
by Layth Yousif
at Meadow Park

JONAS EIDEVALL’S Arsenal Women suffered an FA Cup knockout at the hands of Manchester City Women at a sold-out Meadow Park today afternoon. 

In front of spectating Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman, City handed the Gunners an FA Cup fifth round exit in front of a capacity 3,496 fan to book their place in the quarter-finals to seal a week to forget for Eidevall.

Laia Aleixandri’s 74th-minute strike from a corner proved to be the difference, with City remaining one of the favourites to win a fourth FA Cup.

Under-pressure Eidevall made four changes to the team that lined up during the damaging WSL defeat at West Ham United last weekend, with Leah Williamson captaining the Gunners against an in-form Man City side who hadn’t lost a match since last November. 

This latest frustrating defeat for Eidevall means Arsenal have lifted a single trophy in the past five years.

The goal came when City No 4 Laia Aleixandri pounced on a loose ball in the box to squeeze home from close range, after striker Bunny Shaw had previously come close with two headers earlier in the second half.

The Gunners rallied with a late effort from substitute Kim Little which many thought had crossed the line, but City held on with no VAR of course, as referee Stacey Pearson refused to award the goal. 

Gareth Taylor’s side will find out their quarter-final opponents when the draw is made tomorrow.