Albion 1 Arsenal 1: It's fabulous from Fuka

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Tsunoda strikes as Albion hold the Gunners

Luke Nicoli

2026-05-06T22:20+01:00

Fuka Tusnoda is all smiles - like her teammates - after putting Albion in front against Arsenal. 📷Kyle Hemsley

Albion extended their unbeaten run to six games with a second impressive display against Arsenal in a month.

The Seagulls were looking to replicate their superb 2-0 victory against the Gunners in the quarter-finals of the Women's FA Cup and although Fuka Tsunoda netted shortly before half-time, the visitors grabbed a share of the spoils through Frida Maanum's second-half strike.

Albion made seven changes from the side that drew 1-1 at Manchester United on Saturday, with the likes of Fran Kirby, Madison Haley, Maisie Symonds and Kiko Seike all starting from the bench – with Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with Liverpool no doubt in Dario Vidosic's mind.

With the Gunners needing a victory to keep their title hopes alive and the Seagulls looking for the points to cement sixth place and equal last season's record WSL points total, both teams started brightly.

Olaug Tvedten gets in a shot on her full debut for Albion. 📷Kyle Hemsley

Albion created the game's first chance inside two minutes when Marisa Olislagers played in Olaug Tvedten, whose low effort was saved by the feet of Arsenal keeper Daphne van Domselaar. The ball then spun up into the air only for Carla Camacho to head over the bar.

Frida Maanum responded with a low effort that failed to trouble Albion keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie while Lotte Wubben-Moy also poked wide at the far post after a dangerous cross was stood up by Victoria Pelova.

Alessia Russo then let fly from distance, likewise Taylor Hinds, but Albion still looked dangerous on the break with Tvedten a willing outlet down the left.

Then came the breakthrough two minutes before half time.

A cheap foul on Bex Rayner by Pelova resulted in an Albion free-kick that was played deep into the box by Tvedten. The ball was half cleared by the Gunners’ rearguard but fell straight to the onrushing Tsunoda who thumped a deflected effort past van Domselaar.

Carla Camacho challenges for the ball. 📷Kyle Hemsley

The second half began with Russo scuffing a centre from Smilla Holmberg while Nnadozie showed great agility to tip a fierce Caitlin Foord effort over the bar.

Arsenal continued to apply the pressure and had claims for a penalty turned down when Maanum went shoulder to shoulder with Charlie Rule.

Maanum was all smiles, however, in the 62nd minute when she latched onto a Russo pass before curling a low effort past Nnadozie and into the corner of the net.

The Seagulls responded with Rayner testing van Domselaar with a shot on the turn while sub Madison Haley also saw an effort blocked by Kim Little.

Marisa Olislagers brings the ball forward. 📷Kyle Hemsley

The game then played out to a draw, with the point ensuring Manchester City are crowned WSL champions. It leaves the Gunners trophyless for the season, while the Seagulls will now be looking to reach their first-ever Women's FA Cup Final on Merseyside at the weekend.

Albion: Nnadozie, Rule (Symonds 75), Hayes, Minami (Vanegas 67), McLauchlan, Camacho (Hayley 67), Tvedten (Kirby 87), Tsunoda, Olislagers, Rayner (Seike 67), Noordam. Subs not used: Baggaley, McEwen, Warren, Cankovic.