WSL: Arsenal 2-2 Manchester City – in pictures

The best images from the first match of the WSL season as two of the division’s heavyweights locked horns

by · the Guardian

Arsenal fans pose for a photo by the mural of Leah Williamson before kickoff.

Photograph: Javier García/Shutterstock

The Gunners’ fans were in fine voice before the game at the Emirates.

Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters

Referee Abi Byrne and her assistants lead the teams out of the tunnel.

Photograph: Richard Pelham/The FA/Getty Images

Arsenal’s Frida Maanum breaks clear of her marker to send in a cross.

Photograph: Laura Rose/The Guardianm

Maanum scores Arsenal’s first goal after just eight minutes.

Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters

Maanum is joined by teammates in the Arsenal celebrations.

Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters

Manchester City’s Vivianne Miedema is watched by her former supporters.

Photograph: Laura Rose/The Guardianm

Manchester City players eye up a high ball in defence.

Photograph: Laura Rose/The Guardianm

Lotte Wubben-Moy awaits treatment.

Photograph: Laura Rose/The Guardian

A fan holds a sign asking for Alessia Russo’s shirt.

Photograph: Laura Rose/The Guardian

Bunny Shaw fires a shot at goal for City.

Photograph: Laura Rose/The Guardian

More than 41,000 people attended the WSL curtain-raiser at the Emirates.

Photograph: Laura Rose/The Guardianm

Miedema levels for Manchester City in the 42nd minute with a tidy finish.

Photograph: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Miedema doesn’t celebrate but her City team-mates still mob her after the goal.

Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters

Arsenal’s Manuela Zinsberger looks on as Manchester City’s Jessica Park scores a long-range strike to put the visitors 2-1 up in the second half.

Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters

Anxious young Arsenal fans watching the action.

Photograph: Laura Rose/The Guardian

In the 81st minute, Beth Mead put the hosts level with a volley.

Photograph: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Mead celebrates the crucial equaliser.

Photograph: Richard Pelham/The FA/Getty Images

Jonas Eidevall, the manager of Arsenal, gathers his team for a post-match debrief.

Photograph: Alan Walter/Arsenal FC/Getty Images