Arsenal responded to another shaky start with a devastating attacking display, coming from behind to beat West Ham United 5–1 in the WSL. After gifting the visitors an early lead through a goalkeeping error, the Gunners roared back with goals from Frida Maanum, Stina Blackstenius, Caitlin Foord, and a brace from Alessia Russo to seal a commanding win at home. Read our full match report on West Ham United vs. Arsenal here.
Match Highlights
Daphne van Domselaar opened the scoring with an own goal.
Maanum equalised for Arsenal.
Blackstenius gave The Gunners the lead in the second half.
Alessia Russo with two late goals.
Arsenal’s Frida Maanum has an attempt on goal during the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup Final at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton. Picture date: Sunday March 31, 2024. – Photo by Icon Sport " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ICONSPORT\_204687\_0115.jpg?fit=300%2C211&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ICONSPORT\_204687\_0115.jpg?fit=850%2C599&quality=89&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ICONSPORT\_204687\_0115.jpg?resize=850%2C599&quality=89&ssl=1" alt class="wp-image-2023" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ICONSPORT\_204687\_0115.jpg?w=850&quality=89&ssl=1 850w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ICONSPORT\_204687\_0115.jpg?resize=300%2C211&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ICONSPORT\_204687\_0115.jpg?resize=768%2C541&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ICONSPORT\_204687\_0115.jpg?resize=18%2C12&quality=89&ssl=1 18w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px">
Arsenal’s Frida Maanum has an attempt on goal during the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup Final at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton. Photo by Icon Sport
West Ham United open the scoring
West Ham United struck first when Shekiera Martinez whipped a cross to the far post. Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar appeared to have it covered, but the ball slipped through her hands and over the line, a costly error that gave the visitors an early lead. It was another disappointing start for the Gunners, who also conceded first against London City Lionesses on Matchday 1.
West Ham’s aggressive high press caused real problems for Arsenal in the opening stages. The Hammers forced mistakes in advanced areas and disrupted Arsenal’s rhythm in the final third. Alessia Russo, meanwhile, was kept quiet in the first ten minutes, unable to find any space in attack.
Arsenal eventually found their way back into the contest, and in the 21st minute they drew level through Frida Maanum. Russo drove down the right wing, shrugged off several challenges, and laid the ball to Beth Mead on the edge of the box. Mead slid a clever pass into Maanum’s path, and the midfielder finished confidently to equalize.
The equaliser lifted Arsenal, who began to move the ball with greater fluency and unlock West Ham’s back line more frequently. The Gunners held a slight edge in control as the half wore on, but West Ham’s defence stood firm. Going forward, Viviane Asseyi, Riko Ueki, and Martinez looked the most threatening for the visitors.
Second Half: Arsenal Fight Back
Arsenal made a change at the break with Stina Blackstenius replacing Frida Maanum, and the forward made an immediate impact. Just six minutes into the half, Mariona Caldentey slipped the ball to Alessia Russo, who cleverly backheeled into Blackstenius’ path. The Swedish striker made no mistake, firing low into the far corner to give Arsenal the lead.
The Gunners extended their advantage to 3–1 when Caitlin Foord headed home at the far post. Katie McCabe, released by Caldentey, delivered a pinpoint cross that Foord converted with confidence. Moments later, Beth Mead was replaced by Olivia Smith as Arsenal continued to rotate their attack.
West Ham responded with changes of their own just past the hour mark, as Hanshaw and Martinez made way for Piubel and Belloumou. Despite the adjustments, the Hammers were largely pinned back in their own half, with Arsenal dominating duels and intercepting play high up the pitch. A further substitution saw Emma Nyström replaced by Pavi as Rehanne Skinner sought to spark her side.
Source: West Ham United Women
Ten More Minutes
For Arsenal, Victoria Pelova came on for Caldentey in the final ten minutes, while McCabe was replaced by Taylor Hinds. West Ham earned their first corner in the 84th minute, in stark contrast to Arsenal’s ten, but failed to make it count. Still, the changes did bring some improvement, as West Ham regained more control and pushed for a late response.
With five minutes to play, new summer signing Wandeler entered for Siren, giving the young Swiss forward her chance to impress. But Arsenal put the game beyond doubt shortly after. Pelova combined with Olivia Smith, who picked out Russo on the edge of the area. The striker unleashed a thunderous effort into the roof of the net for Arsenal’s fourth.
In stoppage time, Smith was brought down in the box by Belloumou, handing Arsenal a late penalty. With Caldentey already substituted, Russo stepped up and coolly converted from the spot to seal a commanding 5–1 victory for the Gunners.