WHAT HAPPENED
We extended our lead at the top of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table to eight points on Sunday, as we defeated Birmingham 4-2 at Meadow Park.
Second-place Chelsea still have the benefit of three games in hand - but this was yet another vital three points for Jonas Eidevall’s side.
It was also a special day for a number of our players, who reached some outstanding landmarks and achievements.
After a dominant start, Rafaelle Souza handed us the lead with her first goal in Arsenal colours, climbing high inside the area to head the ball into the ground and into the roof of the net from the resulting bounce.
Vivianne Miedema then went on to make it two and broke yet another Women’s Super League record in the process, becoming the first player in WSL history to provide 100 goal contributions.
Stina Blackstenius caused chaos inside the area by occupying the central defenders, and Miedema, who was operating in the No 10 position, popped up to fire into the bottom corner at the second time of asking.
Our No 11 has now provided 70 goals and 30 assists in just 83 league appearances.
We kept going after the restart and this time it was a landmark achievement for Beth Mead, as she registered her 50th goal in Arsenal colours, coolly finding the bottom right corner after breaking free down the left wing.
We were in complete control all afternoon, but in the space of just five minutes, the visitors provided some late drama by producing two goals out of nothing.
Libby Smith pulled one back with a simple finish from close range, before Lucy Quinn pounced on a fortunate bounce to race through on goal and finish past Manuela Zinsberger.
It was a frustrating five-minute spell that saw us briefly lose control of play, but with a stunning pass from Lia Walti, Caitlin Foord found space down the right wing and duly found the far corner.
There would be one last moment to celebrate too, as Jordan Nobbs was introduced off the bench to make her 250th appearance for the club.
WHAT IT MEANS
WHAT’S NEXT
Up next, we will face Brighton in the WSL on Sunday, March 13.
The game will take place at Broadfield Stadium with kick-off at 6.45pm (UK time).
Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
