Earps keeps London City in the hunt with late saves at Arsenal
London City Lionesses came away from the Emirates with a 1-1 draw against Arsenal, and goalkeeper Mary Earps was a big reason they left with a point.
Arsenal went ahead through Frida Maanum. London City were level 98 seconds later, when Izzy Goodwin scored their equaliser. After that, the game became a test of nerve at both ends.
The crowd was 32,000, and the away end was sold out. London City had 14 shots, four of them from inside the box, the area close to goal where chances are most likely to become goals. Arsenal had 17 shots, but they were held to one goal. Arsenal have yet to win at home in the Women's Super League (WSL) this season, the top tier of the English women's game.
Earps was named player of the match. Her biggest moment came late on, when she tipped a Maanum effort onto the crossbar. Substitute Delphine Cascarino also hit the woodwork for London City. Those few seconds, one way or the other, could have changed the afternoon.
Manager Eder Maestre said his side were brave. He said they were not scared of the occasion or their opponent, and that they came to take risks. London City Lionesses have taken a steady path to this point. They sit third in the WSL table after ten games, and that is the last qualifying place for next season's Women's Champions League, Europe's top club competition for women. They are six points ahead of Arsenal.
The table is still tight. Chelsea are the current leaders, and London City face them in December. Two weeks before this draw, London City lost 2-1 to Manchester City.
The club is backed by US billionaire Michele Kang. Over the summer transfer window, when clubs sign and sell players, London City brought in some well-known names. Alexia Putellas, Mary Earps, Mapi Leon and Kadidiatou Diani all joined. Against Arsenal, that investment looked worth it, at least for a day. Earps, in particular, showed why she was signed.
For a club still building its identity, a draw at one of the strongest grounds in the league is a useful result. It keeps them in the top three, and it shows they can hold their own under pressure. The next test comes in December, against the team at the top.
