**Arsenal:** Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, McCabe; Little, Caldentey; Kelly, Maanum, Smith; Russo
Substitutes: Van Domselaar (GK), Votikova (GK), Codina, Holmberg, Hinds, Pelova, Mead, Blackstenius
Arsenal have closed the gap to European football after beating London City Lionesses 2-0 at Hayes Lane. Arsenal, who have not conceded a league goal in 2026, took the lead through Olivia Smith and substitute Stina Blackstenius added a second.
Anneke Borbe started in goal, and with Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, and Kyra Cooney-Cross away on international duty, Lotte Wubben-Moy partnered Leah Williamson in defence, while Chloe Kelly started out wide.
LCL started on the front foot, with Freya Godrey flashing a dangerous ball across the box. On 11 minutes, Pattinson and Franssi combined down the left. Franssi cutback into the box, and from close range, Godfrey shot over the bar.
The miss would be costly, as Arsenal took the lead four minutes later. Kelly drove to the byline on the left and cutback. The cutback evaded Goldie, who went down under minimal contact from Russo, and Maanum but came to Smith, whose left footed shot took a nick and looped into the corner of the net. [0-1](https://streamin.link/v/9ac375c3).
On 32 minutes, Smith won a free kick out wide. McCabe’s delivery into the box was dangerous, with Lete parrying out for a corner.
Caldentey’s smart pass found Smith in the middle of the box, but as she turned and shifted to shoot her effort was blocked.
In the 45th minute Fox was found on the inside. She drove and then shot with her left from outside the box, with the shot just going wide of Lete’s post.
There were 5 minutes added at the end of the first half.
Godfrey was booked after she kicked through Smith.
Godfrey and Fernandes combine on the right, and the latter crossed but Williamson got across and headed clear.
On 52 minutes Russo won a corner, and Arsenal went short, finding McCabe in space at the edge of the box. She took a touch and shot, but well over goal.
Smith intercepted Lete’s pass out and looked for Russo. She took the ball around Lete, but didn’t go down as Lete caught her and saw the ball go out for a goal kick .
Borbe then saved from Franssi who got onto Van de Donk’s cross.
On 60 minutes Victoria Pelova and Stina Blackstenius replaced Kim Little and Frida Maanum, with Russo droppng to the #10 position.
On 72 minutes, Beth Mead replaced Olivia Smith.
Arsenal would make it 2-0 on 76 minutes. The move began with a long ball from McCabe for Blackstenius. She held the ball up well in midfield before finding Mariona. Mariona played a ball into the channel for Russo, who cut the ball back into the middle for Blackstenius, who slotted past Lete. [0-2](https://streamin.link/v/db40f966).
LCL almost hit back immediately, as a cross came for Asllani right in front of Borbe, but Arsenal scrambled the ball away.
Cascarino was fond in the box but as she looked to shoot McCabe’s tackle snuffed out the danger.
On 84 minutes Taylor Hinds and Laia Codina replaced McCabe and Mariona.
Kelly was booked for a foul on Fernandez, and Fox was then booked for a foul on Corrales.
4 minutes were added at the end of the second half.
Pelova was booked for pulling Goodwin back, but the free kick came to nothing and Arsenal made it a third straight win in league action.