Toothless Gunners stunned as Palace holds firm at the Emirates

Frustration in North London: Arsenal Fail to Convert Dominance. Arsenal dominated possession and piled on the pressure, but a resilient Crystal Palace side stood firm to secure a shock 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Despite racking up a massive 2.37 xG and forcing Palace goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin into nine stellar saves, the Gunners completely lacked a clinical edge.

Alessia Russo squandered a golden opportunity in the first half, while Mariona Caldentey and teenager Lisa Baum both rattled the crossbar.

“It was frustrating,” Arsenal manager Renee Slegers told BBC Sport. “We’re disappointed with the result; we wanted more for ourselves and the fans. Yes, there were good things, but at the end of the day, it’s about scoring, and we didn’t do that today.”

An emotional return for Kyra Cooney-Cross

Amidst the pitch-side frustration, the afternoon carried profound personal significance for midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross.

Making her first home start for Arsenal since returning from Australia following the heartbreaking passing of her mother, Jess, to a rare cancer earlier this year, the 24-year-old received a rousing, emotional welcome from the home supporters.

Penning a touching tribute in the matchday programme, Cooney-Cross thanked fans for their overwhelming support through her family’s darkest months.

Playing with her mother’s words echoing in her mind, urging her to simply remember the joy of having a ball at her feet, Cooney-Cross anchored the midfield before making way in the 59th minute, leaving behind an inspiring display of resilience.

Defensive masterclass earns Palace a famous point

For promoted Crystal Palace, managed by former Arsenal midfielder Jo Potter, the tactical approach paid off dividends.

Backed by Peyraud-Magnin’s phenomenal player-of-the-match performance between the sticks, the Eagles frustrated the title challengers at every turn and became one of only two WSL teams yet to concede a league goal this season.

“If you take one eye off them, Arsenal will absolutely wipe the floor with you,” Potter told BBC Sport after the match. “It’s that experience of knowing what top-level football is like. She’s so calm, so laid back, and it really helps in that position.”

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While the draw extends Arsenal’s unbeaten run to 19 games, matching a club record, Renee Slegers’ side knows that performances like this will not win them a first WSL trophy since 2019.

The Gunners have no time to dwell on these dropped points, with their next two massive matches coming up rapidly: a high-stakes WSL clash at home against Manchester United on September 19, followed swiftly by their opening UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage fixture against HB Køge on September 22.

Slegers and her squad will need to find their scoring boots quickly to turn around this wasteful streak.