Match ends, Arsenal Women 1, Bristol City WFC 1.
Arsenal's frustrating start to the Women's Super League One season continued as they were held to a draw at home by improving Bristol City.
The visitors took a surprise lead when 17-year-old Lauren Hemp curled in expertly in the first half.
The Netherlands' Danielle van de Donk put Arsenal back on terms after the break, and both sides struck the bar.
The Gunners created chances but were ultimately frustrated as they slipped further behind their title rivals.
- Birmingham fight back to draw at Reading
- Sunderland edge past winless Yeovil
- Relive Arsenal and Bristol City's draw as it happened
Having been beaten 5-2 at title rivals Manchester City last time out, Sunday's draw left Arsenal five points off leaders Chelsea and City after their first three matches of the season.
Such a deficit is a significant early blow to the Gunners' hopes of a first league title since 2012, in what is only an 18-game season.
For Bristol City, who lost 6-0 at Chelsea just two weeks previously and 5-0 at home to Arsenal in the Spring Series earlier in 2017, their organised performances have seen them pick up four points from their past two games.
The Vixens could have won it in the second half, but Scotland international Chloe Arthur's powerful left-footed drive hit the bar.
Earlier, Jordan Nobbs had also hit the frame of the goal for Arsenal, and the Gunners missed late chances through Jodie Taylor and Vivianne Miedema.
Arsenal's Danielle van de Donk: "We are better than them, but we didn't really show it.
"We were quite slow in possession and if we could have got ourselves level a bit earlier we could have won.
"We weren't sharp enough and we need to be at a higher level if we are going to challenge this year.
"We have been waiting for that for three games, so I'm hoping it is going to come out in the next game, because it is taking a bit too long now."
Bristol City's Carla Humphrey: "In the first half, we flew out the traps and put pressure on them.
"We fully deserved our goal. In the second half, we were up against it, but it was a well-deserved result for us, and we're really happy with the point.
"The message at half-time was keep going and don't get complacent. The building blocks have been set with the win last week and a good point away at Arsenal, so we need to continue this."
You can now add WSL 1 notifications for line-ups, goals, kick-off, half-time and results in the BBC Sport app. Visit this page to find out how to sign-up.
Line-ups
Arsenal Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1van Veenendaal
- 25Samuelsson
- 19Rose
- 5Henning
- 3MitchellSubstituted forTaylorat 79'minutes
- 6Williamson
- 8Nobbs
- 9CarterSubstituted forMeadat 66'minutes
- 21van de Donk
- 17O'ReillySubstituted forEvansat 53'minutes
- 11Miedema
Substitutes
- 2Scott
- 13Moorhouse
- 14Taylor
- 16Quinn
- 18Evans
- 22James
- 23Mead
Bristol City Women
Formation 3-4-3
- 22Baggaley
- 3BrownBooked at 70mins
- 6Kerkdijk
- 21Turner
- 12Allen
- 8HumphreySubstituted forFergussonat 85'minutes
- 20BiesmansBooked at 90mins
- 2Dykes
- 7Arthur
- 11Hemp
- 16Estcourt
Substitutes
- 5Van De Putte
- 10Fergusson
- 17Woodham
- 18Wilson
- 19Wilson
- Referee:
- Sarah Garratt
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home69%
- Away31%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away4
- Corners
- Home11
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away6
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Arsenal Women 1, Bristol City WFC 1.
Post update
Offside, Arsenal Women. Vivianne Miedema tries a through ball, but Jodie Taylor is caught offside.
Post update
Foul by Daniëlle van de Donk (Arsenal Women).
Post update
Millie Turner (Bristol City WFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Julie Biesmans (Bristol City WFC) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Daniëlle van de Donk (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Julie Biesmans (Bristol City WFC).
Post update
Attempt missed. Jodie Taylor (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Post update
Attempt missed. Josephine Henning (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Beth Mead.
Post update
Offside, Arsenal Women. Daniëlle van de Donk tries a through ball, but Beth Mead is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Bristol City WFC. Olivia Fergusson replaces Carla Humphrey.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Flo Allen.
Substitution
Substitution, Arsenal Women. Jodie Taylor replaces Emma Mitchell.
Post update
Offside, Arsenal Women. Daniëlle van de Donk tries a through ball, but Beth Mead is caught offside.
Post update
Offside, Arsenal Women. Leah Williamson tries a through ball, but Vivianne Miedema is caught offside.
Post update
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Frankie Brown.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Beth Mead (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Booking
Frankie Brown (Bristol City WFC) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.