Report: Arsenal 2-0 West Ham (inc. goals)

Arsenal: Van Domselaar; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe; Little, Cooney-Cross; Kelly, Pelova, Foord; Russo
Substitutes: Zinsberger, Codina, Mead, Maanum, Smith, Nighswonger, Hinds, Reid, Wellesley-Smith, Lia, Harwood

Arsenal have won their final scheduled pre-season match, beating West Ham 2-0 through two second half goals from Frida Maanum. Without Leah Williamson and with Mariona Caldentey rested, Arsenal struggled to find a creative spark throughout the first half but notably smoothed out some of the defensive errors that plagued the Gunners last weekend.

Renée Slegers named 8 starters from the UEFA Women’s Champions League final, with Victoria Pelova, Kyra Cooney-Cross, and Lotte Wubben-Moy deputising for Frida Maanum, Mariona Caldentey (who wasn’t in the squad) and Leah Williamson, who is out injured.

Arsenal had an early chance. Pelova turned away from pressure after a throw and set Russo away. She crossed for Foord but overhit the cross.

Van Domselaar saved from a header following a West Ham corner.

Pelova fired wide on 24 minutes after quick one-touch play from Arsenal.

Arsenal were getting into good areas down the sides, but West Ham were resolute in their defending, with last ditch blocks denying Little and then Kelly.

Arsenal made a host of changes at half time, with Codina, Reid, Nighswonger, Smith, Hinds, Maanum, and Mead replacing Fox, Catley, Wubben-Moy, Little, Kelly, Foord, and Russo.

Smith had a powerful shot that was blocked behind, and Arsenal and West Ham both had half chances from a corner. Ueki and Codina collided heads in the middle of the pitch, but both were able to continue.

On 64 minutes, Sophie Harwood replaced Katie McCabe. Hinds, who had been at right back, went to left back.

Cooney-Cross dribbled past two players and won a corner. From the corner, the ball bounced to Pelova, and her shot was blocked just wide.

Mead fired a free kick over the bar after Pelova won a free kick at the edge of the area.

Arsenal took the lead on 72 minutes. Hinds won the ball in the middle, drove past one, and found Nighswonger. Her clipped pass found Maanum attacking the penalty box, who headed into the corner. 1-0.

On 79 minutes, Hinds did well to recover on a transition, but West Ham reset and won a corner after Gorry found Ueki, whose cross was put behind by Nighswonger.

From the corner, Arsenal cleared the ball and Smith cleverly found Cooney-Cross. She played long to Pelova, who readjusted, and then found Maanum with a looping pass, and Maanum fired into the corner. 2-0.

After the goal, Viv Lia replaced Pelova, with Nighswonger dropping into central midfield.

Mead, on the edge of the area, slipped in Hinds, whose shot was blocked by Szemik.

Smith was booked for a late challenge on 85 minutes.

Maanum, looking for a perfect hat trick, shot with her left foot while falling down after Lia worked the ball to her. The shot, though, went straight at Szemik.

5 minutes were added on to the end of the match.

In the final moments, Smith showed off her pace as she ran onto a mishit clearance following Nighswonger’s pass, but Belloumou was able to recover to concede a corner.

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