We fell to a disappointing defeat in the Barclays Women's Super League, as Brighton & Hove Albion hit four past us at Broadfield Stadium.
Caitlin Foord scored her 13th goal of the season to draw us level in the first half and Mariona Caldentey hit a beautiful strike in injury time, but neither proved enough to withstand a courageous Brighton side.
WHAT HAPPENED
It was an unnerving and breathless first five minutes, as a great fingertip save from Manuela Zinsberger denied Brighton's very first shot, we narrowly avoided conceding an own goal, and Caitlin Foord rounded the keeper only to put the ball just wide of the post.
Just as we regained our composure and began to threaten the hosts, Brighton took the lead through Fran Kirby, who let fly from just outside the area.
Frida Maanum and Alessia Russo both saw solid efforts saved by an impressive Sophie Baggaley before the half-hour mark. Shortly after, Kim Little danced her way into the Brighton box with ease, only for her shot to go straight into Baggaley’s hands.
The Brighton keeper continued to pull off save after save, but Caitlin Foord finally brought us back on level terms in the 29th minute, walloping home a rebound from close range.
Baggaley denied a signature long-range strike from Maanum just before the half-time whistle, but the twists weren’t over yet, as a second ex-Chelsea player struck. Jelena Cankovic unleashed a rocket through a crowded box, and suddenly our Gunners were behind once more.
As the second half kicked off, a rapid counter-attack from Kiko Seike was prevented by some good defensive work from Leah Williamson. The Seagulls’ onslaught had only just begun, however.
Cankovic struck again in the 52nd minute, receiving a surprise scoop over the top and dinking the ball over Zinsberger. Less than two minutes later, we were fishing the ball out of the net once more. A clever cross from Marisa Olisalgers found an onrushing Seike, who fought off Katie McCabe to score with a first-time strike.
Renée Slegers then made a quadruple substitution, introducing Lia Walti, Chloe Kelly, Jenna Nighswonger and Stina Blackstenius into the fray as we tried to salvage something.
Despite a number of promising attacks, our Gunners fell short at every turn in the second half. Not even a class strike from Mariona Caldentey in the second minute of injury time was enough to pull back a result and the afternoon finished 4-2 to the Seagulls.
WHAT IT MEANS
This weekend's clash with Manchester United will now decide who finishes second in the Women's Super League standings.
Tickets are still available for the season finale in N5 - get yours now.
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal starting XI: Zinsberger, Fox, Williamson, Catley, Mariona, Mead (Kelly, 60), Little (C) (Walti, 60), McCabe (Nighswonger, 60), Maanum (Blackstenius, 60), Foord (Pelova 88), Russo
Subs: Williams, Wubben-Moy, Ilestedt, Cooney-Cross
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