Sam Kerr salvaged a point for Chelsea with a late equaliser at the Emirates that keeps the WSL title race in the balance. Emma Hayes’ table toppers retain their three-point lead at the top, although Arsenal, who will see this as a missed opportunity, still have a game in hand that could prove crucial.
It looked like Arsenal had done enough when Kim Little converted a second half penalty but Kerr got on the end of a brilliant Erin Cuthbert cross to level the scores in the 89th minute, in front of a huge crowd of 46,811. However, a fair chunk of that crowd didn’t get to see the whole match.
As one of the key games in the women’s football calendar kicked off in the winter sun, thousands of fans were still stuck queuing outside, despite the fact that 46,000 tickets had been sold in a stadium that holds 60,000. This is a wonderful, modern area that hosts Premier League or European matches every two weeks with few issues.
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Yet when the WSL comes to town, everything seems to take longer. From getting through the turnstiles and into the stadium, to queueing at a bar at half-time and even purchasing a ticket in the first place, the obstacles put in the way make for a less enjoyable experience overall.
The product on the pitch has increased in quality so much in the last few years, as we saw as these two title rivals went toe-to-toe, but the sport is now being let down by a lack of organisation. The players are now full blown celebrities and these games are attracting attendances the WSL could only dream of five years ago.
England’s Euro 2022 success has certainly fast-traced the progress of the women’s game, certainly when it comes to attendances and public interest, but things must improve if attendances are going to stay at this level, or even increase.
Arsenal’s last three matches at the Emirates have all drawn crowds of over 40,000, but if they face consistent issues, families and fans will no longer attend. There’s even an argument to be made that watching the game on TV offers a better experience than actually going to the stadium. It certainly would have been the easier option.
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The club released a statement midway through the second half, seemingly putting the blame on late-arriving and uneducated fans.
“Our matchday operation was the same as every other fixture and event at Emirates Stadium. An early kick-off combined with a number of new supporters to our stadium, coupled with 50 per cent of supporters arriving in the last 20 minutes before kick-off resulted in busy turnstile areas. We will continue to educate supporters on arriving early to the stadium for necessary security and bag checks and continue to discourage supporters bringing any necessary luggage and large bags.”
The designated away end for Chelsea was a positive as the atmosphere whipped up around the ground, but it’s still difficult to buy an away ticket for a WSL game, if you aren’t a member of the club. These needless barriers surely dissuade even more people from attending, and slightly sour what should be a hugely positive experience.
However, once those waiting patiently inside had made it in, they were treated to a brilliant match. The hosts were energetic and willing to take Chelsea on, even without star strikers Beth Mead and Vivanne Miedema.
Arsenal had a couple of attempts in a tight first half, but in the second they began to pile the pressure on. A wonderful cross from the left from Stephanie Catley saw Lina Hurtig only able to direct her free header straight at Zecira Musovic, but the warning signs were there.
Moments later, Niamh Charles tangled with Caitlin Foord and although it looked like it was just outside the box, the referee pointed to the spot. Little stepped up to take the penalty and sent Musovic the wrong way on an important day for Arsenal Football Club,
The Gunners had won 31 games 31 wins since scoring first in the WSL since 2020, but in the last five minutes, Chelsea piled the pressure on. In the final minute of normal time, Cuthbert produced an outstanding delivery, right onto the head of Kerr, who made no mistake from close range.
Emma Hayes was left jubilant on the touchline as her Australian salvaged a precious point in the title race as they look to retain the title. But these big occasions must begin to take place without all of these delays. Otherwise families and fans could be permanently put off.
