Football | Arsenal 4 - 3 Manchester United

A confidence boosting win for the home side

Arsenal secured second place in the Women's Super League after a frenetic 4-3 victory over Manchester United, who finish the season in third.

Author - DJ

Chloe Kelly put the Gunners ahead early on after a mistake by United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Ella Toone swiftly equalised, but Arsenal took control after the break with a flurry of goals in a 16-minute spell.

Mariona Caldentey converted a penalty, Frida Maanum marked her 150th appearance for the club by slotting in following Katie McCabe's incisive pass, and Kim Little added a fourth with a powerful low strike.

United mounted a late fightback. Elisabeth Terland pulled one back with a deflected effort and Maya Le Tissier scored from the spot after McCabe brought down Celin Bizet, setting up a tense finish.

Arsenal conclude their league campaign with 48 points from 22 matches, four clear of United. The result secures a place in next season’s Champions League final qualifying round, unless they beat Barcelona in this season’s final on 24 May. Manchester United will enter the second round of qualifying in August.

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Signs of life before Arsenal’s European final

After consecutive defeats, Arsenal needed a strong response to build confidence ahead of their European showdown. Renee Slegers’ side found rhythm in the second half, with flowing attacking play that left United exposed.

Even so, there were familiar concerns. Defensive lapses led to all three United goals, meaning Arsenal have now conceded 12 in their final three WSL matches.

Alessia Russo had a subdued outing but ends the season as joint-WSL Golden Boot winner alongside Manchester City's Khadija Shaw, both finishing with 12 league goals.

This win offers renewed belief ahead of what is likely to be Arsenal’s most important fixture in years. To stand a chance against Barcelona, they will need to show the same attacking verve, while tightening up at the back.