Frida Maanum’s second-half goal secures victory for Arsenal at Leicester

Frida Maanum’s second-half goal proved decisive as Arsenal picked up their first victory of the Women’s Super League season with a gritty 1-0 triumph at Leicester.

Jonas Eidevall’s team, who qualified for the Champions League group stages in midweek, struggled to break down the well-organised hosts, whose goalkeeper Lize Kop made some fine saves before Norway international Maanum side-footed home from six yards 10 minutes after the break.

The visitors, however, were indebted to their debutant Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, who produced a good save in the closing stages to deny Foxes captain Janice Cayman.

Arsenal’s plans were disrupted in the warm-up with defender Laura Wienroither replaced by Emily Fox, causing the visitors to reshuffle the back four.

However, it did not take long for Eidevall’s team to begin to assert themselves, with Caitlin Foord proving a constant threat down the left wing supported by captain Katie McCabe.

Leicester right-back CJ Bott was up to the challenge of dealing with the pair, though, as they tussled throughout the half with Australian Foord putting in a particularly hefty challenge on New Zealander Bott just before the break.

The sizeable contingent of Arsenal fans thought Alessia Russo had put their team in front on 11 minutes but, in space at the back post from Beth Mead’s cross, Russo could only find the side-netting.

Despite dominating possession, the Gunners struggled to create many clear-cut chances and it was the hosts who almost opened the scoring with their best effort of the half on 34 minutes.

The impressive Ruby Mace sprayed a cross-field pass to Jutta Rantala, who cut inside and unleashed a fierce left-footed shot which Van Domselaar did well to tip onto the crossbar.

Not to be outdone, six minutes later, Leicester keeper Kop brilliantly tipped over Lia Walti’s close-range effort after the midfielder had been set up by Russo.

The deadlock was broken on 55 minutes when Bott, who had not put a foot wrong to that point, gave the ball away inside the penalty area to Russo, who squared for Maanum to fire home.

Leicester substitute Shana Chossenotte quickly made herself busy, setting up captain Cayman, who was denied an equaliser by Van Domselaar.

England forward Russo almost doubled the Gunners’ advantage but her effort was saved by Kop and, in stoppage time, substitute Rosa Kafaji saw another attempt superbly kept out by the Leicester keeper once again.