Taylor excited by Man City potential in Arsenal draw

Gareth Taylor says if Manchester City tin tie pinch Arsenal astatine Emirates Stadium erstwhile they are "off colour" it is an breathtaking imaginable for nan remainder of nan season.

City were 2-1 up successful London acknowledgment to a stunning onslaught from Jess Park and a extremity against her erstwhile nine by Vivianne Miedema.

But England guardant Beth Mead came disconnected nan chair to equalise pinch 9 minutes to spell for Arsenal, meaning it was each quadrate successful their Women's Super League opener.

"I would person been happier pinch nan 3 points but fixed nan discourse of nan game..." said City leader Taylor.

"It was nan play opener astatine nan Emirates successful beforehand of a large crowd and group person to understand what that does to players. It’s a large crippled and it feels almost for illustration a final.

"There’s areas we tin activity connected for sure. The breathtaking point is that I don’t deliberation we were astatine our champion - acold from it – and if we tin do that, beryllium disconnected colour and still travel distant pinch a point, it's a existent positive."

Park's onslaught successful nan 2nd half was nan prime of nan goals arsenic she struck nan underside of nan crossbar from agelong scope earlier nan shot bounced complete nan line.

But Taylor, who prefers to beryllium successful nan stands for a amended vantage constituent astatine nan Emirates, missed nan goal.

"I knew you would inquire maine what I thought of it – but I didn’t really spot it. I was coming down from upstairs but I heard it was good!" he said.

"What we ever situation her [to do] is travel up pinch nan icing connected nan barroom – nan last actions, nan assists, nan goals. She’s started nan play hot.

"To travel present and - apparently - people a stunning goal, is really impressive."

Park was not nan only 1 connected nan scoresheet for City arsenic Miedema stole nan headlines pinch a extremity against her erstwhile club.

The Netherlands world was allowed to time off Arsenal astatine nan expiry of her statement this summertime but gave them a reminder of her qualities connected Sunday.

Before nan game, erstwhile England striker Ellen White said it was "written successful nan stars" that Miedema would people against Arsenal.

As good arsenic uncovering nan backmost of nan nett via a dense deflection disconnected Laia Codina, she remained a threat passim and linked up nicely pinch her City team-mates.

"It’s what Viv does. She scored nan first extremity for america successful Europe against Paris FC and now gets nan play opener for america against her aged club," said Taylor.

"She has conscionable sewage that ability. She shows her qualities astatine nan correct moments. It was a large time for her and a reliable 1 to get through.

"I deliberation she’s gladsome she’s put [that game] to 1 side."

Miedema was fixed a lukewarm invited by Arsenal supporters, immoderate still wearing her sanction connected nan backmost of their shirts arsenic they shouted her presence earlier kick-off.

She did not observe erstwhile she scored and was later fixed a information of applause arsenic she was substitued successful nan 2nd half.

"I’m happy to get my first City extremity successful nan convention but nan bigger image was conscionable to get done it and I’m happy I person done that," said Miedema.

Her erstwhile team-mate Frida Maanum, who scored Arsenal's opening goal, added: "It is ever a spot typical successful those types of moments and games. I played pinch Viv for 3 years astatine Arsenal and she meant a batch for nan full nine - you could show that erstwhile she went disconnected nan pitch."

Manchester City's "off colour" capacity was successful ample parts owed to Arsenal's expertise to commencement connected nan beforehand ft successful some halves.

They were mostly ascendant and had nan amended of nan chances pinch some Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius squandering one-on-one opportunities pinch City's debutant goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.

Arsenal besides had a extremity scored by Caitlin Foord ruled retired for a marginal offside.

But head Jonas Eidevall acknowledged location were "different phases successful nan game" and praised his side's resilience to travel backmost from 2-1 down.

"It’s portion of what makes this truthful simulating because it is wished by specified mini margins," said Eidevall.

"I dream you saw a clear gameplan of really we wanted to play retired from their pressure. We created a batch of opportunities arsenic a consequence of being really bully successful our build-up.

"If we zoom out, we are nan squad pinch nan amended chances, particularly if you see nan extremity that was ruled retired for offside.

"[City] besides had immoderate chances and we showed unthinkable morale erstwhile being 2-1 down. We had reliable momentum against america but managed to move that around."