The impressive Arsenal Women’s team eased past Reading Women 3-1 in an enthralling match at Meadow Park on Wednesday evening. Read on to find out which Gunners players impressed
Arsenal:
Sari Van Veenendaal: 7 - Patrols her area well as a keeper unafraid to come off her line. Good distribution and handling.
Emma Mitchell: 7 - Hard working and dependable she deserved her ovation after being replaced by Katie McCabe
Leah Williamson: 8 - This lifelong Gunner from a family of Gooners signed a new contract with the club recently. Thoroughly deserved as she is consistency personified. An unruffled and cultured defender who is just as comfortable clearing her lines as playing out from the back along the deck
Jordan Nobbs: 8 - Quick feet and a good engine means she is a valuable asset as a box to midfielder. Excellent movement on and off the ball and showed flair by executing a well-timed bicycle kick which deserved better
Danielle Carter: 7.5 - Her pace and technical ability made her a real threat down the left flank. A class act. Warm applause for her and her replacement Heather O’Reilly
Kim Little: 8 - Arsenal’s captain showed great technique and flair to cut inside early on to curl a right footed shot past Earps and into the top left hand corner
Vivienne Miedema: 7 - Worked hard pressing from the top while trying to play through the lines. Not as influential as she would have liked but wasn’t for the want of trying and on a different night could have notched a couple of goals
Louise Quinn: 7.5 - An Arsenal centre half who wins the majority of her aerial challenges while being comfortable on the ground is always good to see
Lisa Evans: 7 - At the heart of everything. A good organiser as befits a vocal presence. Every team needs a Lisa Evans
Dominique Janssen: 7.5 – Solid and disciplined. Put in a good shift while showing an efficient technique. Held her shape well and powerful in the air. Deserved her goal late in the first half after she headed home from close range
Danielle Van de Donk: 8.5 - Excellent crosser of the ball and has a first rate temperament – as do all her team-mates – as witnessed by calmly steering the ball past Earp for the third. Superb all-round performance from this polished and composed performer
Substitutes:
Katie McCabe: 7 - Played her part in her team’s victory after coming on for Emma Mitchell
Heather O’Reilly: 7.5 - A friend of the Hitchin Belles who were in attendance as guests as befits an Arsenal sister club. Took time out of her busy schedule to attend training at the North Herts club one freezing Friday evening this winter. Received a huge round of applause from her young admirers who already idolise her
Beth Mead: 7 - on for captain Little late on
Reading:
Mary Earps: 7 – Little chance with Arsenal’s well-taken goals
Fara Williams: 7.5 – Grabbed a goal early in the second half which gave her battling side hope
Kirsty Pearce: 7 – Solid
Rachel Furness: 7 – Can be proud of her efforts
Remi Allen: 7 – Another who put a shift in
Lauren Bruton: 7 – Supplemented attacks by firing in dangerous crosses
Jade Moore: 7 – Worked hard throughout
Brooke Chaplen: 7 – Showed flair including an audacious backheel in a crowded box
Natasha Harding: 7 – Knew she had been in a game with Carter. Booked but gave her all in a difficult duel with Arsenal’s talented attacker
Josanne Potter: 7 – Not afraid to shoot
Rachel Rowe: 7.5 – Excellent last ditch block prevented Miedema from scoring
Arsenal coach Joe Montemurro said after the match: “The start was good, we found gaps and opportunities, and probably could have finished the game off in the first 20 minutes.
“But Reading are a very good team and are always going to pose problems. They have good players and a good structure.”
Arsenal reporter Layth’s feature on women’s football will be published over the next few days. Follow him on Twitter @laythy29
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