The draw will not be enough to ease concerns about Arsenal's slow start to the season, as they slipped four points behind leaders Manchester City. Manchester United, heavily tipped to struggle, defied expectations with a solid defensive display and an early lead courtesy of Julia Zigiotti Olme's strike.
The visitors' performance will give manager Eva Olid valuable time to work on her team's style on the training ground and quieten critics who doubted her. Arsenal, meanwhile, will face major scrutiny after failing to win at home for a second consecutive game.
The late equaliser from Holmberg came from Leah Williamson's deep diagonal ball into the box, breaking Manchester United's stubborn resistance.