Summary

  • FT: Arsenal 3-1 Man United - Kim Little scores third from penalty spot after Geyse own goal and Chloe Lacasse header

  • Lucia Garcia scores late consolation for visitors

  • Emirates Stadium sold out and game sets new attendance record of 60,160

  • Get Involved #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 033012318126 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. get involved

    Who will make up final three? - Get Involvedpublished at 12:27 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    As always, we're interested to hear your thoughts on all of today's action.

    You can get in touch via #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or by texting 81111 (UK only, texts will be charged at your standard message rate).

    After Manchester City's victory over Chelsea yesterday, and the other two top-four sides facing off this afternoon, who do you think will make up the final three at the end of the season? Could Manchester United find a way back? Will Arsenal prevent them taking up a Champions League spot? Will City or Chelsea finish top?

    Please remember to leave names with your messages

  2. Arsenal dare to dreampublished at 12:26 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Emirates Stadium

    .Image source, BBC Sport

    First and foremost, this is a huge game for both sides in the context of their season ambitions.

    Arsenal, boosted by Manchester City's win over Chelsea last night, can move within three points of the joint-leaders with a win.

    If they lose, it would seriously dent their title challenge and many would consider it a two-horse race for the rest of the campaign.

    Manchester United, meanwhile, are already four points off the final Champions League qualifying spot but can close that gap to just one point if they win.

    Off the pitch, it is also an exciting day for Arsenal.

    They have worked hard over several years to build a fanbase for the women's team and are now regularly welcoming big crowds to Emirates Stadium.

    Today's match is a first sell-out in the WSL at the stadium and they will hope to break their own league record attendance of 59,042.

    Over the road from the ground is a mural of a grassroots female footballer with the word "dream" written across it. It felt fitting today.

  3. 'We have to perform'published at 12:25 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    Manchester United

    The title is likely out of Manchester United's reach, but victory today would edge them further towards the Champions League qualification.

    United are currently fourth and sit four points behind Arsenal, who occupy the final European qualification spot.

    Reds boss Marc Skinner says that his side must "perform" this afternoon.

    "Even at this moment the points that are between us and Chelsea are great and they don't lose many games," Skinner said in his pre-match news conference.

    "On historical data probably that's going to be very difficult, but what we have to do is perform against Arsenal.

    "I think we're unbeaten in four against Arsenal and we need to be a team to get under the skin of Arsenal, I have no doubt about that.

    "I think it's one of those factors that we have to try and win the game and that's what we're going to try and do."

  4. Tough few weeks for Arsenalpublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    It's been a fortnight to forget for Arsenal fans.

    Two weekends ago - the last weekend of league action - they suffered an unexpected 2-1 defeat by West Ham, only their third defeat of the season but one which severely dented their title chances.

    Then, last Sunday, they were knocked out of the FA Cup as Man City beat the Gunners at Meadow Park.

    The one slight saving grace for Arsenal, who were also knocked out of the Champions League in qualifying earlier this season, is that they're still in one cup competition - they beat London City Lionesses in the League Cup quarter-finals and will face Aston Villa in the quarters.

    After a tough couple of weeks, will the Gunners take the chance to get their league form back on track this afternoon?

  5. 'It’s a huge game'published at 12:22 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    Fran Kirby
    England forward on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It’s a huge game and it’s two teams that maybe haven’t quite reached their level just yet. Arsenal blew us away at the Emirates and after that game I was like 'wow, Arsenal are ready to go'.

    It felt like everything was flowing so nicely for them and it felt like it was all coming together. Since then they are in a sticky patch. If Arsenal get it right they can be a real force to reckon with.

    Listen to the Women's Football Weekly podcast on BBC Sounds

  6. Listen livepublished at 12:20 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    You can listen to live BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra coverage of today's game by pressing the play button at the top of this page.

    Former Tottenham captain Jenna Schillaci is alongside Flo Pollock at Emirates Stadium.

  7. Will we see a full house?published at 12:18 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Emirates Stadium

    .Image source, BBC Sport

    This was the scene outside and inside the Emirates when I arrived at 10am this morning.

    The weather has brightened up a little bit but security guards had waterproof ponchos at hand to give to supporters on their way in.

    Atmosphere has been building over the last couple of hours and there are plenty of people sat in their seats now as we countdown to kick-off.

    .Image source, BBC Sport
  8. 'Really high hopes'published at 12:16 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    Arsenal

    Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall on Leah Williamson's omission, speaking to Sky Sports: "She unfortunately picked up a really minor injury but it stops her for being a part of the matchday squad today."

    On Alessia Russo being benched: "It's important who starts but also who finishes the game and what we think will be the important qualities when we start and finish."

    On starting Sabrina D'Angelo in goal: "It's a luxiorious position for me to be able to choose between such top quality goalkeepers. Sabrina was really good against Manchester City and I really think she deserves another chance."

    On the importance of winning today: "That's where our focus is. Together with the fans, I really have high hopes we can do that. Now it's up for us to do that."

    On how they plan to stop United scoring: "Manchester United have a lot of threats both starting and from the bench, a really good team. For us the relationships are really important and working as a unit. We have great players but they have not been playing a lot of minutes together. We need to really value the co-operation and work together as a unit."

  9. 'We have the quality to win the game'published at 12:14 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    Manchester United

    Manchester United manager Marc Skinner, speaking to Sky Sports: "In every format it's huge, the arena, the fanbase, the interest, the points at stake. All we can control is our performance. We've got to come here against all of that and use the energy, try and turn it against the crowd. If we can do that then I know we have the quality to win the game."

    On the impact Nikita Parris could have: "I think she brings a real energy and quality - also off the ball as well. Today we're going to have to work hard, we know how good Arsenal are, especially at home in front of all of these fans. Nikita's quality in front of goal will be key, I'm sure."

    On Geyse's potential threat: "I think she is a difference maker, she has the ability to take players on and do things that a coach tries to prepare for and can't. I think she can take tight spaces, she can roll 1v1, she can take players inside and outside. I hope she gives their left-back a torrid time."

    On United's confidence: "We are in good form. The reality is I don't think it will be like last year, I think it will be a different type of game. We've got to make sure that whether defending or attacking we use our brains and quality and if we can do that I think we can win the game."

  10. 'I don’t want to say they are out of the title race because that’s unfair'published at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    Ellen White
    Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It’s a tough one isn’t it. Arsenal are obviously still in the Conti Cup which they have to throw everything at. I don’t want to say they are out of the title race because that’s unfair and anything can happen, but it’s going to be a tough one for them to be catching City and Chelsea because both teams would have to lose a lot of points.

    They can only control what they can control at Arsenal. They’ve got to go for the Conti Cup and win a trophy and they’ve got to have Champions League as a minimum. It's super frustrating for them and they have a big game this weekend as well.

    If United win they will be very close to putting a lot of pressure on Arsenal for Champions League spots, but then Arsenal could creep away from United and stick with that third spot. I think there is a lot of pressure to win. United have got the momentum and the confidence so I think Arsenal have to do everything to win that game.

    Listen to the Women's Football Weekly podcast on BBC Sounds

  11. Sell-out at the Emiratespublished at 12:10 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    A new Women's Super League attendance record could be set this afternoon.

    It's Arsenal who currently hold the record, with 59,042 being there as they beat Chelsea in December, but today's match could eclipse that with the Emirates having sold out.

    The ground has a capacity of just over 60,000 and it's the first time it's sold out for a league game.

    The only other time it sold out, Arsenal's Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg last season, a record for a women's club game in England was set with 60,063 fans in north London.

    In fact, Arsenal have four of the highest five WSL attendances. Will they break the record today?

    Graphic with the five highest WSL attendancesImage source, BBC Sport
  12. Williamson's blow at Emiratespublished at 12:08 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Emirates Stadium

    .Image source, BBC Sport

    A huge blow for Leah Williamson to miss out today.

    She wrote in her pre-match programme notes that she was hoping to play at the Emirates for the first time since November 2022.

    Hopefully that minor hamstring injury will not impact her England selection as they are due to travel to Spain next week.

    She writes: "Being back in the England squad again is incredible. Hopefully now, being back at camp, that dream is a little closer."

    But the first thoughts will be how big of a loss she will be today.

    I spoke with Arsenal expert Tim Stillman from Arseblog earlier and he said Williamson's absence in previous games have impacted them.

    "You can see how Chelsea are suffering without Millie Bright at the moment - not just in terms of defending - but that passing out of the back," said Stillman.

    "Some of the results we've seen Arsenal have this season against teams who sit back, I don't think would have happened with Williamson in the team because she breaks lines."

    Asked about the importance of today's match, Stillman added: "If Arsenal win, they start looking up.

    "The difference between finishing second and third in terms of what happens in the summer is really crucial. They can start pushing for the title then.

    "But if they lose, they are looking down and it would obviously be bad for the supporters and create some discontent. It's do or die for both teams."

    Will the title race be over if Arsenal lose? "Yep. I do. It's that simple."

  13. How things standpublished at 12:06 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    We've already mentioned how Manchester City closed the gap at the top of the table yesterday, with Chelsea only leading the division on goals scored.

    We won't see any more changes in the standings this afternoon, but there could be some big ramifications whichever way the result goes.

    A win for Arsenal would be a big blow for Manchester United. The Reds would be seven points off the Champions League places with eight games remaining - and both Chelsea and Man City left to play.

    If United win, on the other hand, there would only be a one-point gap and their chances of qualifying for Europe would be hugely benefitted.

    Women's Super League table graphicImage source, Getty Images
  14. Title race blown openpublished at 12:04 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    While Arsenal are probably outsiders in the Women's Super League title race having fallen off the pace, the battle to win the league is wide open at the top.

    That's because Manchester City beat leaders Chelsea yesterday, with City moving top of the table with victory at Kingsmeadow.

    Arsenal are six points behind the top two, while Manchester United are eight points off the top.

    With eight games left to play after this weekend's fixtures, the league looks to be poised for an exciting finish.

  15. Team news - Williamson out injured, Malard drops out for Geysepublished at 12:02 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Emirates Stadium

    Jonas Eidevall has made six changes to the Arsenal side who suffered defeat by Manchester City in the Women's FA Cup last weekend.

    Leah Williamson is not in the squad due to a "minor hamstring injury" we're told.

    Amanda Ilestedt is out through illness. Alessia Russo is left on the bench for tactical reasons, with Cloe Lacasse starting.

    Kim Little wears the captain's armband today.

    Arsenal XI: D'Angelo, Wubben-Moy, Catley, Mead, Little, Walti, McCabe, Pelova, Lacasse, Blacktenius, Codina.

    Subs: Zinsberger, Bouhaddi, Reid, Cooney-Cross, Maanum, Foord, Miedema, Russo, Lia.

    Marc Skinner makes two changes to the Manchester United side who beat Southampton in their last outing.

    Melvine Malard and Leah Galton, who has struggled with illness this week, drop to the bench.

    In comes Geyse and Lucia Garcia.

    Man Utd XI: Earps, Blundell, Garcia, Naalsund, Parris, Turner, Toone, Le Tissier, Zelem, Evans, Geyse.

    Subs: Tullis-Joyce, Mannion, Guerrero, Aherne, Galton, Ladd, Malard, Williams.

  16. Welcomepublished at 12:00 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Arsenal v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

    We've got a big afternoon coming up in the Women's Super League.

    A potential record attendance, two of the top four meeting, and big consequences for either side whatever way the result goes.

    It's Arsenal against Manchester United on the way from the Emirates, following on from Manchester City's victory over Chelsea last night.

    The early team news is that Leah Williamson has suffered a minor injury keeping her out of the squad, while Jonas Eidevall makes some tactical tweaks.

    Let's take a proper look at how the teams line up in north London.

    Emirates Stadium general viewImage source, Getty Images