We extended our unbeaten run to nine games with a solid 3-0 win over West Ham United in the Women's Super League.
Frida Maanum opened the scoring after only two minutes played, before Beth Mead bagged a brace - her first goals since returning from injury.
What happened
Looking to keep pace with Chelsea at the top of the table with a sixth straight WSL win, our Gunners hosted the Hammers on a brisk Sunday afternoon at Meadow Park.
We kicked off the game strongly, Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord combining well down the left flank and this work lead to an early corner.
It was from this set piece that our dream start came in the opening two minutes - Frida Maanum with a delightful chip from outside the area. This was our Norwegian’s second WSL goal in as many games.
We proceeded to dominate the game across the park. Kyra Cooney-Cross showed her quality at the base of midfield, weaving between West Ham players before playing a through ball to Alessia Russo. Russo’s resultant attempt on goal was on target but was a little too far out to trouble Walsh.
Lotte Wubben-Moy, on her return to the side, was rock solid at the back alongside Amanda Ilestedt to keep the visitors at bay.
But the first half belonged to Beth Mead, who became only the second player in WSL history to reach 100 goal involvements. Vivianne Miedema is the only other player to have done so.
Our number 9 scored her first goal back from injury in style, curling the ball to double our lead.
Beth soon got her second before half-time, thanks to some spectacular play and determination from Alessia Russo at the byline.
The Hammers did start the second half with more spirit than the first 45, but our backline stood firm under pressure.
Manuela Zinsberger recorded a second clean sheet in a row, making a series of solid stops between the posts.
Our Gunners grew into the second half and substitutes Vivianne Miedema and Cloe Lacasse came close to further extending our lead, but the 90 minutes ended 3-0.
What's next?
After a two-week international break, our Gunners will be back with a massive top-of-the-table clash against Chelsea.
50,000 tickets have already been sold for the fixture at Emirates Stadium - get yours now!
Team news
Arsenal starting XI: Zinsberger, McCabe (Maritz, 64), Wubben-Moy, Ilestedt, Catley, Cooney-Cross, Pelova (Walti, 75), Maanum (Miedema, 82), Mead (Lacasse, 64), Foord, Russo (Little, 82)
Subs: D’Angelo, Beattie, Codina, Kuhl
West Ham United starting XI: Walsh, Smith, Shimizu, Stringer, Tysiak, Evans, Ueki, Harries (Ziu, 63), Hayashi (Filis, 85), Asseyi (Atkinson, 79), Cissoko (C)
Subs: Denton, Cooke, Stapleton, Ademiluyi, Flannery
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