Our Gunners cruised to victory at Emirates Stadium with a 4-0 win over Aston Villa in the WSL.
A brace from Alessia Russo, along with goals from Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius, extended our winning run to five in all competitions.
WHAT HAPPENED
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With two changes to the starting XI that lined up against Juventus before the international break, our Gunners looked to build on an unbeaten November against Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium.
November Player of the Month Emily Fox started strongly down the right flank, battling away to nullify the visitors’ attacking threat.
We put the ball in the net early as Beth Mead rounded Sabrina D’Angelo, but our number 9 was called offside.
Kyra Cooney-Cross, stepping into midfield for Lia Walti, took command from the outset with mazy runs and pinpoint deliveries to our forward line.
As our Gunners shook the cobwebs off after a long international break, we grew into the first half and looked likely to find a breakthrough.
Another fantastic delivery from Cooney-Cross brought that goal in the 16th minute. The Aussie’s free kick found Alessia Russo waiting to pounce in the box, and our number 23 headed home for the opener.
Buoyed by the goal, we raised the tempo in the search for a second. Aston Villa were continually undone by long balls over the top and by our wingers.
In one instance, Mead whipped it in a beautiful cross for an onrushing Russo, but the danger was headed clear for a corner.
The ensuing corner was taken short, with Cooney-Cross driving down the byline and setting up Leah Williamson, whose shot dragged just wide.
We doubled our advantage just before half-time after some beautiful one-touch football unlocked Caitlin Foord whose low cross into the box was met by a sliding Frida Maanum. Her shot ricocheted off the post, but Mead was there to tap home for the second goal.
The visitors upped their energy in the second half as they looked to find a way back into the game and a fantastic recovery run from Steph Catley stopped Ebony Salmon through on goal.
Russo put the ball in the net after some neat footwork saw her round D’Angelo, but not for the first time this match, the offside flag was up.
After weathering a small spell of pressure from Villa, our Gunners regained control. Substitute Stina Blackstenius would further extend our lead, stretching to reach Katie McCabe's fantastic through ball and beat D'Angelo in goal.
Deep into stoppage time, Russo capped off a Player of the Match performance with a stroke of brilliance. Winning back the ball at the byline, our number 23 turned her defender and curled the ball beautifully into the top corner.
WHAT IT MEANS
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Chelsea's 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion means our Gunners jump up to third in the WSL table.
Next up is a trip to Norway for a Champions League clash against Valerenga. Kick-off
TEAM NEWS
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Starting XI: Van Domselaar, Fox (Wubben-Moy, 46), Williamson (C), Catley (Wienroither, 75), Mariona, Mead, McCabe, Maanum (Blackstenius, 60), Foord (Hurtig, 75), Russo, Cooney-Cross (Kuhl, 84)
Substitutes: Zinsberger, Codina, Kafaji, Godfrey
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