Arsenal Women
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal Women continued their remarkable resurgence under interim manager Renée Slegers, securing a commanding 4-0 victory over Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League (WSL). The win extended their unbeaten streak to eight games, with Alessia Russo scoring in her fourth consecutive league match.
Despite injuries sidelining key midfielders Lia Wälti and Kim Little, Arsenal displayed their depth and attacking prowess. Russo netted twice, with Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius also finding the back of the net to register the Gunners’ seventh win since Jonas Eidevall’s departure in October.
The breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Russo expertly glanced Kyra Cooney-Cross’s inswinging free-kick into the bottom corner. The England striker, now in scintillating form under Slegers, has hit a career milestone by scoring in four consecutive WSL games.
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Villa goalkeeper, Sabrina D’Angelo, kept the visitors in the contest with a stunning double save to deny Mariona Caldentey and Frida Maanum shortly after Russo’s opener. However, she was helpless as Mead pounced on a rebound after Maanum’s flick came off the post to double Arsenal’s lead.
Alessia Russo
Arsenal Women striker Alessia Russo has scored in four consecutive matches (Image credit: Getty Images)
Substitute Blackstenius added a third, racing onto Katie McCabe’s precise through ball before calmly slotting past D’Angelo. Russo capped the performance with a spectacular injury-time strike, curling the ball into the top corner to complete her brace.
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The victory, Arsenal’s third consecutive league clean sheet, lifted them back to third in the table, overtaking Manchester United despite the Red Devils’ 4-0 win against Liverpool earlier in the day. Arsenal remain nine points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
Interim head coach Slegers praised her side’s clinical display. “I’m very happy with the result,” she said post-match. “With just two training days after the international break, we had to make changes, including a new midfield. The team adapted well, and it’s great to see players stepping up and getting minutes.
“We shared possession today but limited Villa’s opportunities, especially in the first half. Defensively, we were solid, with key blocks from Steph [Catley] and Lotte [Wubben-Moy]. In the final third, we were clinical, and a 4-0 win shows our professionalism.”
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