"Arsenal's early pressure and a reshuffled attack allowed Olivia Smith, playing as a striker rather than her regular position on the wing, to score what proved to be the winner after 17 minutes. The Canada international shook off Rebecca Knaak, who seemingly gave up a little too easily in her pursuit, to weave around goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita and finish into the empty net."
"For a team that gets significant joy on the ball and relies heavily on possession for that style of play to be effective, City were suffocated by Arsenal's press. It quashed their ability to enact the game plan that has been so effective in their unbeaten run since their last loss in September at Chelsea. Alessia Russo, dropping into the midfield to allow Smith to play more centrally, forced veteran defensive midfielder Yui Hasegawa into small pockets and tight spaces."
Arsenal beat Manchester City 1-0, boosting chances for UEFA Women's Champions League qualification and reopening the Women's Super League title contest. Olivia Smith scored after 17 minutes after being moved from the wing to a central striking role and finished around goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita into an empty net. Arsenal's high press and a reshuffled attack stifled City's possession-based game and quashed their ability to play through the middle. Alessia Russo dropped into midfield, forcing Yui Hasegawa into tight spaces, while inverting fullbacks, particularly Katie McCabe, added pressure and made building attacks difficult for City.
Read at ESPN.com
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