(Football news) Arsenal Women maintained a two point lead at the top of the Women’s Super League table as they held reigning champions Chelsea Women to a 0-0 draw at the Kingsmeadow Stadium. The Blues required a victory to take them a point above the Gunners but it was the league leaders who had the upper hand for the majority of the clash and could have taken the lead through Vivianne Miedema who struck the post after Steph Catley's long ball was nodded down by Rafaelle Souza.

Emma Hayes made one change from the team which beat Manchester City with Fran Kirby replacing Jessie Fleming. As for Arsenal, both Leah Williamson and Rafaelle Souza returned to the squad while Jennifer Beattie was on the bench and Katie McCabe was suspended. Stina Blackstenius made her first start for the Gunners while Caitlin Foord featured in the starting lineup. 

Caitlin Foord had a penalty call denied after being brought down by Jess Carter while Stina Blackstenius missed a good opportunity to score a goal on her first WSL start after failing to connect with a header from Catley's cross. Chelsea almost made Arsenal pay towards the end of the first half for the many missed opportunities but some last-ditch defending by Souza and Catley stopped Pernille Harder and Sam Kerr from getting on the scoresheet. 

Chelsea continued to be wasteful with their opportunities in the second half as Kerr failed to connect with the ball six yards from goal while Guro Reiten shot straight at Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger. Jonna Andersson’s effort from the edge of the box failed to hit the target while Harder almost found the breakthrough after a mix up between Zinsberger and Leah Williamson while trying to clear Ji So-Yun's shot.

Arsenal turned up the pressure in the last 20 minutes and were denied a late winner after some resolute defending by Chelsea as Berger kept out Frida Maanum's free-kick while Millie Bright headed Blackstenius' corner off the line. The game had its fair share of controversy as Niamh Charles' cross in stoppage time struck Williamson’s outstretched arm but the officials didn’t point to the spot for the infringement. Ultimately, neither side was able to find a breakthrough as Arsenal Women remained two points ahead of Chelsea although the Blues have played a game less.

Also read: Liverpool and Arsenal secure three points in the Premier League