Arsenal Women’s Player Ratings vs Man City: Chloe Kelly’s Revenge Counts for Nothing! Lionesses Star Cannot Stop the Gunners Falling to Dramatic Defeat as Unbeaten WSL Start Ends

Arsenal Women’s Player Ratings vs Man City: Chloe Kelly’s Revenge Counts for Nothing! Lionesses Star Cannot Stop the Gunners Falling to Dramatic Defeat as Unbeaten WSL Start Ends

 

 

 

Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the Women’s Super League (WSL) season came to a dramatic halt as Manchester City claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory on Saturday. Despite a moment of personal redemption for Lionesses star Chloe Kelly, who scored a stunning late equaliser against her former club, the Gunners were undone by an 88th-minute winner from Iman Beney, in a match that will sting long after the final whistle.

The Gunners came into the clash with momentum, unbeaten and full of confidence. But City, equally ambitious, struck first through Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, whose sharp finish in the first half gave the hosts a deserved lead.

After the break, Arsenal hit back quickly through Mariona Caldentey, levelling the game with a well-taken goal and reigniting the contest. But City’s Kerstin Casparij restored the lead midway through the second half with a fine solo effort, taking advantage of Arsenal’s disjointed defending.

Enter Chloe Kelly.

The Lionesses forward, who left City in a storm of controversy during the summer, came back to haunt her former side with a brilliant long-range strike in the 83rd minute. She made no attempt to hide her emotions, celebrating wildly in front of the home support — a moment of revenge that felt symbolic, if not decisive.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, it wasn’t to be a fairytale ending.

Just five minutes later, 17-year-old Iman Beney latched onto a loose ball in the box and fired home a dramatic winner for City, sealing all three points and inflicting a first league defeat of the season on Jonas Eidevall’s side.

Arsenal Player Ratings:

Manu Zinsberger (GK) – 5/10: Left exposed by her defence on multiple occasions. Could do little about any of the goals but failed to command the area late on.

Laura Wienroither – 5.5/10: Struggled with City’s pace and offered little going forward.

Lotte Wubben-Moy – 6/10: Battled hard but was part of a defence that looked vulnerable in key moments.

Leah Williamson – 6/10: Her leadership was evident, but couldn’t keep City’s dynamic attack contained.

Katie McCabe – 6/10: Energetic on the flank but faded late in the game.

Kim Little – 6/10: Controlled tempo at times but didn’t offer much resistance during City’s surges.

Frida Maanum – 6.5/10: Made some promising forward runs but was inconsistent in her passing.

Mariona Caldentey – 7/10: Took her goal well and posed a threat throughout.

Caitlin Foord – 6/10: Worked tirelessly but lacked final product.

Beth Mead – 5.5/10: Struggled to influence the game and was substituted.

Chloe Kelly – 8/10 (Player of the Match): Scored a sensational equaliser against her old club and looked the most threatening forward. Her “revenge” moment was poetic, but ultimately in vain.

Verdict

Despite Chloe Kelly’s standout performance, Arsenal’s defensive frailties proved costly in a pulsating encounter. The Gunners now face a regrouping challenge as City leapfrog them in the table. For Kelly, the personal satisfaction of a goal in Manchester was clear — but it wasn’t enough to save her side from a cruel late defeat.