We concluded our women’s pre-season camp in La Manga with a friendly against AC Milan.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite goals from Leah Williamson and Selina Cerci, the Italian side came away 3-2 winners in scorching conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
First Half<\/p>\n
Our first chance of the match came courtesy of Georgia Stanway, who plucked a stray clearance from the air and drove at goal, laying off to Olivia Smith.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was great link up play once again between Stanway and Smith, with a chance nearly falling to Lisa Baum in the box, only for the AC Milan goalkeeper to pounce just in time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Against the run of play, Thea Kyvag put the Italian side ahead of 25 minutes, capitalising on some confusion at the back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In search of an equaliser, Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius both hit the crossbar from aerial efforts, while Kim Little had a volley smothered by the keeper.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Second Half<\/p>\n
We increased the intensity in the second half and it didn\u2019t take long for us to draw level through a set piece. Smith delivered a powerful corner to the front post and Leah Williamson rose high to head home.<\/p>\n
Smith came close to adding her own name to the scoresheet 10 minutes later – dancing through the defence before being brought down outside the box. Academy prospects Kyri Teer-Hutchins, Amelia Marriott, Abi Conway and Bella Cowley all made valuable contributions across the pitch, pairing well with established members of the squad.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On another breakaway, Sara Stokic put Milan back ahead after 70 minutes, curling a powerful strike past Isabella Damm. A few minutes later, Damm made a great double save to stop Stokic getting a second, before we looked to turn our dominant possession into an equaliser.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chloe Kelly\u2019s deep corner found Selina Cerci, whose bullet header was denied by the crossbar once more. But Cerci wouldn\u2019t have to wait long to bag her first goal in Arsenal colours, thanks to a superbly taken strike outside the area.<\/p>\n
The twists weren\u2019t over though, AC Milan capitalised from the restart, and immediately regained the lead through Monica Renzotti, seconds from time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What’s next<\/p>\n
Before our Women’s Super League campaign gets underway with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, we’ll host Paris FC (August 23) and Charlton Athletic (August 26) in friendlies at Mangata Developments Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n