Crystal Palace goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin denied Arsenal at every turn in WSL soccer's second matchweek, scoring eight saves in a 0-0 draw at Emirates Stadium. The Women's Super League result was a statement for the newly promoted side — and a warning sign for the Gunners.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Showcases Battle in the Box
Arsenal peppered Palace's Peyraud-Magnin with 30 shots across 90 minutes — including nine on target — yet couldn't find a breakthrough.
Midfielder Mariona Caldentey rattled the crossbar in the sixth minute, while defender Lotte Baum struck it again midway through the second half. Between those near-misses, star forward Alessia Russo fired seven attempts without converting a single one.
But Palace's back line deserved plenty of credit for the shutout, too. Peyraud-Magnin commanded the box while her teammates threw themselves into 73 clearances and 27 tackles, limiting Arsenal to just one clear-cut look despite nearly 80% possession.
"It was frustrating," Arsenal manager Renée Slegers said afterward. "We should've won today, we should've scored today but we didn't."
Week 2 WSL Results Reshape UK Soccer Standings
The weekend's WSL scores subsequently leave Arsenal searching for answers ahead of fixtures against league contenders Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City.
For Crystal Palace, the result is historic, as only three newly promoted clubs have ever taken points off a top Women's Super League side.
