We guaranteed a top-three finish and a chance to qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage next season with a 3-0 victory over Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Beth Mead continued her fine form by scoring another brace in back-to-back games, while Alessia Russo was also on target in front of another impressive crowd of 42,820 supporters.
WHAT HAPPENED
Early on it was all about remaining patient in our build up play as we invited the visitors to step forward and then played through at speed into the channels, causing trouble through Caitlin Foord and Mead.
It was our No 9 who eventually opened the scoring too, playing a vital role in the goal from start to finish. Drifting inside, Mead found Pelova and continued her run into the penalty area, before receiving it back from Foord and lifting the ball over the onrushing Lize Kop to find the back of the net.
Manuela Zinsberger made vital saves both before and after our opener. First diving at full stretch to deny Momiki a stunning goal from distance and then again to push away Sam Tierney’s effort.
There was a special and emotional moment following the restart as Frida Maanum returned to action for the first time since collapsing in the final of the Conti Cup last month, and then Russo doubled our lead in style.
Pressing high and central, Steph Catley won the ball back just ahead of the halfway line and charged towards goal, before teeing up Russo to drill the ball into the bottom left corner.
Mead then made made it three with another smart finish, chipping over the keeper after Russo’s header was denied from close range.
Only Vivianne Miedema (79) and Beth England (70) have scored more goals than Mead (63) in WSL history, and late on the former was introduced off the bench to make her return from injury.
WHAT IT MEANS
We remain in third place in the WSL table with 43 points from 19 fixtures.
We’re now 11 points ahead of Manchester United with three league fixtures remaining, meaning third is the lowest position we can possibly finish in this season.
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal XI: Zinsberger, Fox (Wienroither 90+4), Williamson, Catley, McCabe (Codina 90+4), Pelova, Little (c), Russo (Miedema 82) , Mead, Blackstenius (Maanum 66), Foord (Lacasse 82)
Subs not used: D’Angelo, Williams, Goldie, Reid
Leicester City: Kop, Bott (Ale 82), Thibaud, Howard, Cayman, Takarada (Pelgander 90+4), Tierney, Momiki, Rose (O’Brien 81), Petermann (Whelan 82), Rantala
Subs not used: Leipzig, Palmer, Green, Siemsen, Baker
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