Arsenal led twice at the Etihad on Sunday and still left with nothing. Manchester City hauled themselves back from behind both times to win 4-2, and a Women's Super League title race that was supposed to be tight now has a ten-point gap in it after only five games.
A cagey first half with one big talking point
City had most of the ball before the break and came close through Beth Mead and Khadija Shaw. Ayaka Yamashita in the Arsenal goal had to push away an Emily Fox effort. Then Arsenal scored. Lotte Wubben-Moy headed down, Lisa Baum bundled the ball over the line from close range, and the goal stood even though replays suggested Baum had been offside when she touched it.
City were furious, and the reply came three minutes later. Lauren Hemp hit a powerful finish from a tight angle, then celebrated with more fire than she usually shows. Arsenal lost Mariona Caldentey just before half-time, the midfielder leaving the pitch in tears with what looked like a hamstring problem.
Russo puts Arsenal back in front
The second half began with City looking flat, and Arsenal made them pay. Yui Hasegawa played a loose pass in her own penalty area, Alessia Russo pounced on it and thumped her shot into the far corner. It was only Arsenal's third WSL goal of a poor season, so the visitors had every reason to feel the game was turning their way. Shaw had a one-on-one soon after the break and took a heavy touch, which let goalkeeper Anneke Borbe gather. Leah Williamson also did well to take the ball off Shaw's toes after a dangerous Carlotta Wamser cross.
Those misses looked expensive until City changed the game from the bench. Kerstin Casparij came on and curled a shot into the top right corner with her first touch, which levelled things at 2-2. Hemp then slotted under Borbe to put the hosts in front, and Shaw settled it late with a shot from the edge of the box that took a slight deflection on its way in.
What it means for both clubs
City are the only side in the league with five wins from five, and this was the toughest test they have faced. Andree Jeglertz's team did not play well for long stretches, but they kept finding an answer, and that is how defending champions tend to look. Hemp was the standout and took the BBC's player-of-the-match rating at 8.42, ahead of Casparij and A. Fujino.
For Arsenal the picture is far bleaker. They sit ten points behind after five matches and the questions around manager Renee Slegers are getting louder. She did not appear for the post-match media duties after Wednesday's Champions League draw with Paris FC, explaining later that she wanted to stay with an emotional squad. Dropping points from winning positions twice in one afternoon will not quieten the debate, and with Caldentey's injury to worry about as well, the international break arrives at a poor time for them.
Match facts: Manchester City 4-2 Arsenal, Women's Super League, Etihad Stadium, Sunday 4 October 2026. Manchester City: Hemp (shortly after Arsenal's opener, first half), Casparij (second half), Hemp (second half), Shaw (late). Arsenal: Baum (first half), Russo (second half). The BBC match report did not give exact minutes for the goals. City are top and the only team with a 100% record; Arsenal are ten points behind after five games.
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