We secured a 2-1 victory over Everton in our first Women's Super League fixture of 2024 on a crisp afternoon at Meadow Park.
First-half goals from Caitlin Foord and Beth Mead were enough to see off the Toffees and bag our fifth straight WSL victory on home turf.
What happened
There was early uncertainty at Meadow Park with a morning pitch inspection needed to check that the pitch was safe to play on, but with the game officially on, our Gunners looked to extend our winning run of 15 games against the Toffees.
We made a promising start, with Vivianne Miedema providing some incisive passes early on in the number 10 role and Beth Mead rattling the crossbar within the opening five minutes.
It didn't take long for us find a breakthrough, with Caitlin Foord capitalising in the ninth minute. Our Aussie winger converted from close range, courtesy of Victoria Pelova's interception and eventual cutback, and we had our early lead.
The chances in front of goal continued to come thick and fast and we dominated the visitors, winning the ball back high.
In one close call, Emily Fox fired a cross straight to the feet of ex-college teammate Alessia Russo, and our number 23’s first-time shot whistled past the post.
Out of the blue, the Toffees equalised through Katja Snoeijs in the 24th minute. The Dutch striker took advantage of our high line and produced a cool, low finish to make it 1-1.
Undeterred, we set about trying to restore our lead. Goalscorer Foord looked particularly sharp in attack, threatening Everton with her directness and speed.
Newly-crowned Swiss Footballer of the Year Lia Walti put on a magnificent performance, conducting the play at the base of midfield.
Our hard work paid off just before the stroke of half-time. Walti floated a perfectly weighted cross into the box and who better to pounce than Beth Mead with her fourth goal of the WSL season.
With the one-goal cushion back in place, our Gunners kicked off the second half with better intensity. Fox and Mead continued to overlap and collaborate well down the right flank and several inviting balls into the box went unclaimed.
A smooth team move with liquid passing from the halfway line to the final third nearly resulted in a goal, but once again, the all-important finishing touch proved evasive.
As the second half dragged on, our slender lead persisted and the visitors made several aggressive substitutions in an attempt to get back on level terms. Centre-forward Stina Blackstenius made a rare yet vital interception in her own box, heading away a shot from an Everton corner.
Our defence was tested in the dying moments but Zinsberger and company stood firm to see out the win.
What it means
With Chelsea and Man City yet to play this weekend, we move into second place with that victory - level on points with the league leaders.
We're back in action on Wednesday for a Conti Cup group game against Reading, before travelling to Merseyside to face Liverpool in the league next Sunday.
Team news
Arsenal starting XI: Zinsberger (GK), Fox, Wubben-Moy, Ilestedt, McCabe (C) (Catley, 83), Walti, Pelova, Miedema (Maanum, 70), Mead (Lacasse, 90), Foord, Russo (Blackstenius, 83)
Subs: D’Angelo, Williams, Beattie, Codina, Cooney-Cross
Everton starting XI: Brosnan (GK), Stenevik, Finnigan, Holmgaard, Payne (Madsen, 60), Wheeler, Galli (Duggan, 76), Bissell (Campbell, 60), Bennison, Olesen (Hope, 60) Snoeijs (Piemonte, 76)
Subs: Hart, Wilding
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