Taylor excited by Man City potential in Arsenal draw

Gareth Taylor says if Manchester City can draw with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium when they are "off colour" it is an exciting prospect for the rest of the season.

City were 2-1 up in London thanks to a stunning strike from Jess Park and a goal against her former club by Vivianne Miedema.

But England forward Beth Mead came off the bench to equalise with nine minutes to go for Arsenal, meaning it was all square in their Women's Super League opener.

"I would have been happier with the three points but given the context of the game..." said City boss Taylor.

"It was the season opener at the Emirates in front of a big crowd and people have to understand what that does to players. It’s a big game and it feels almost like a final.

"There’s areas we can work on for sure. The exciting thing is that I don’t think we were at our best - far from it – and if we can do that, be off colour and still come away with a point, it's a real positive."

Park's strike in the second half was the pick of the goals as she struck the underside of the crossbar from long range before the ball bounced over the line.

But Taylor, who prefers to sit in the stands for a better vantage point at the Emirates, missed the goal.

"I knew you would ask me what I thought of it – but I didn’t actually see it. I was coming down from upstairs but I heard it was good!" he said.

"What we always challenge her [to do] is come up with the icing on the cake – the final actions, the assists, the goals. She’s started the season hot.

"To come here and - apparently - score a stunning goal, is really impressive."

Park was not the only one on the scoresheet for City as Miedema stole the headlines with a goal against her former club.

The Netherlands international was allowed to leave Arsenal at the expiry of her contract this summer but gave them a reminder of her qualities on Sunday.

Before the game, former England striker Ellen White said it was "written in the stars" that Miedema would score against Arsenal.

As well as finding the back of the net via a heavy deflection off Laia Codina, she remained a threat throughout and linked up nicely with her City team-mates.

"It’s what Viv does. She scored the first goal for us in Europe against Paris FC and now gets the season opener for us against her old club," said Taylor.

"She has just got that ability. She shows her qualities at the right moments. It was a big day for her and a tough one to get through.

"I think she’s glad she’s put [that game] to one side."

Miedema was given a warm welcome by Arsenal supporters, some still wearing her name on the back of their shirts as they cheered her arrival before kick-off.

She did not celebrate when she scored and was later given a round of applause as she was substitued in the second half.

"I’m happy to get my first City goal in the league but the bigger picture was just to get through it and I’m happy I have done that," said Miedema.

Her former team-mate Frida Maanum, who scored Arsenal's opening goal, added: "It is always a bit special in those types of moments and games. I played with Viv for three years at Arsenal and she meant a lot for the whole club - you could tell that when she went off the pitch."

Manchester City's "off colour" performance was in large parts due to Arsenal's ability to start on the front foot in both halves.

They were largely dominant and had the better of the chances with both Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius squandering one-on-one opportunities with City's debutant goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.

Arsenal also had a goal scored by Caitlin Foord ruled out for a marginal offside.

But manager Jonas Eidevall acknowledged there were "different phases in the game" and praised his side's resilience to come back from 2-1 down.

"It’s part of what makes this so simulating because it is determined by such small margins," said Eidevall.

"I hope you saw a clear gameplan of how we wanted to play out from their pressure. We created a lot of opportunities as a result of being really good in our build-up.

"If we zoom out, we are the team with the better chances, especially if you consider the goal that was ruled out for offside.

"[City] also had some chances and we showed incredible morale when being 2-1 down. We had tough momentum against us but managed to turn that around."