Rita Guarino looks concerned (inset), with Japan and West Ham star Riko Ueki
Credit: Tung Manh Phan
Richie Mills
Tue 24 March 2026 9:10, UK
West Ham United Women were given a brutal reality check against Arsenal, as Riko Ueki reacted modestly to her Asian Cup Golden Boot win with Japan.
After a battling goalless draw with Manchester United in the Women’s Super League on Wednesday, West Ham headed to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in an optimistic mood.
And despite Chloe Kelly’s fourth-minute opener, Rita Guarino’s side were very much in the contest at 1-0 down at the break.
But four second-half goals from Alessia Russo, Beth Mead, and two more from Kelly condemned West Ham to a thumping 5-0 loss.
While head coach Guarino cut a despondent figure, West Ham and Japan striker Ueki was revelling in her country’s Asian Cup final win over Australia earlier that day.
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Rita Guarino reflects on Arsenal mauling
While West Ham kept it close in the first 45 minutes, they seemed powerless to stop the Arsenal juggernaut over the course of the full 90 minutes.
Indeed, they had 34.6 per cent possession, one shot to Arsenal’s 23, and just two touches in the Gunners’ area, whereas the hosts had 36.
West Ham goalkeeper Kinga Szemik kept busy vs Arsenal
Total saves made Six
Shots and shots on target 23/11
Passing accuracy 93.1%
Had it not been for goalkeeper Kinga Szemik, who made several good saves following her impressive clean sheet against United, the scoreline could have been even more one-sided.
While West Ham welcomed back defender Shelina Zadorsky, who had been out since November with an ankle injury, Guarino admitted there weren’t many positives to take from this game.
She added that the Hammers’ short turnaround from the United match didn’t help, either.
Guarino said: “Against this top team, against the Champions of Europe, you can make little mistakes that can determine everything, because they can move in the small spaces.
“We needed to pay more attention to the details and be more aggressive on the ball.”
West Ham are next in WSL action at home to London City Lionesses on Sunday, in a game where Ueki may be available again after her Asian Cup exploits.
Riko Ueki downplays her impact in Japan triumph
Ueki has had a brilliant Asian Cup campaign. Not only did she score six goals and average a goal every 37 minutes, but the 26-year-old also came away with the trophy her country craved.
The striker started in Japan’s 1-0 win over Australia at Stadium Australia in Sydney, with Maika Hamano’s 17th-minute goal proving the difference in the final.
She came up against a familiar face in West Ham captain and Australia international Katrina Gorry, but it was Ueki who emerged victorious.
Upon receiving her Golden Boot award, Ueki cut a diffident figure.
She said, “Being the champion was the main goal, so I’m just enjoying that. I’m happy that I could contribute to the team by scoring the goals, but I could only do so because the team also helped me a lot.
“I really appreciate my teammates for all the help they’ve provided.”
West Ham will hope Ueki is fit and firing for their final few games of the season, with the east London outfit just three points above the relegation zone in 11th.