Debut for Diane Caldwell, red for Katie McCabe as Arsenal and United draw

Arsenal looked to be staring at defeat when 1-0 down and seeing McCabe sent off with just 15 minutes remaining

BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Katie McCabe of Arsenal is sent off during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Arsenal Women and Manchester United Women at Meadow Park on February 05, 2022 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Arsenal had to come back from a goal down against a capable Manchester United side to secure a vital point in the WSL title race. They could have had all three but it was the return of familiar failings in their defence that denied them the chance to really put some distance between themselves and their closest challengers, Chelsea.

Republic of Ireland international Diane Caldwell got her first start for United, having joined in the transfer window. While the hosts were missing two first-choice defenders in Leah Williamson and Lotte Wubben-Moy, with Jen Beattie and Steph Catley replacing them in a rigid back four. Both found it difficult to stifle United’s interchangeable front three, and it seemed as if the United manager Marc Skinner had planned it that way, with his team set up in a 4-3-2-1. There was an obvious target in all this: Katie McCabe, who was facing Alessia Russo on the left flank.