Arsenal: D’Angelo; Fox (Wienroither 68′), Williamson, Catley (Codina 62′), McCabe; Pelova, Cooney-Cross (Maanum 61′); Mead, Little, Foord (Agyemang 85′); Russo (Miedema 62′)
Substitutes: Zinsberger, Williams, Goldie, Reid
–
Arsenal concluded the 2023-24 WSL season with a 5-0 win over Brighton. Alessia Russo scored a brace, and in her final appearance for Arsenal, Vivianne Miedema scored and assisted.
There were four changes to the team that started away at Manchester City, with Kim Little starting in place of Frida Maanum, Steph Catley coming in at centre back in place of Laia Codina, Caitlin Foord replacing the suspended Cloé Lacasse, and the departing Sabrina D’Angelo starting in goal.
First Half
Brighton had the first chance of the match, with Carabalí nudging McCabe off the ball and then shooting wide. Russo then prodded a shot towards goal after nice interplay on the left.
Alessia Russo made it 1-0 on 17 minutes. Fox and Mead combined on the right. Mead played into Little, while Fox continued her run, and was found by Pelova. Fox then passed to Russo who fired into the far corner for her 11th WSL goal of the season.
Terland would then go close from a set piece, heading wide of D’Angelo’s far post.
Arsenal lost the ball in midfield, Lee fed the ball to Terland, and she would strike from outside the box. Her shot was deflected by Catley, but would hit the bar, with D’Angelo beaten. D’Angelo would then pass straight to Haley, but the American’s touch was heavy, and D’Angelo was able to make for her mistake and claim the ball.
Russo would then double the lead on 24 minutes. Little and Russo pressed as Brighton tried playing out, and Russo pounced on Thorisdottir’s pass, went around Baggaley and slotted home.
Good football from Arsenal saw the Gunners go from back to front at speed. D’Angelo evaded pressure to play to McCabe, who then played into Little in space. She played a through ball for Foord, but the Australian’s cross was behind Mead.
Russo would then have a chance for a hat trick. Running onto a through ball, she was too strong for Bergsvand, and then shot just wide of the far post.
McCabe, who had a strong case for a penalty, would then fire a free kick straight at Baggaley.
Terland would then sting D’Angelo’s gloves, who was able to gather at the second attempt.
Second Half
Terland, determined to get a goal, would run onto Haley’s through ball, but shoot straight at D’Angelo, who saved easily.
Arsenal would win a penalty on the 55th minute. Brighton again gave the ball away playing out from the back, with Baggaley passing straight to Little. Little crossed, and Catley was fouled when she tried seizing the clearance. Little, though, hit the post with her penalty.
Arsenal made a triple substitution on 61 minutes. Frida Maanum replaced Kyra Cooney-Cross, Laia Codina replaced Steph Catley, and Vivianne Miedema replaced Alessia Russo.
Miedema would score with her first touch on 64 minutes. Williamson played into Mead in the middle, who slipped Miedema in, and Miedema would slot past Baggaley to make it 3-0.
Miedema would have another chance three minutes later, but after shifting onto her left foot, the shot was blocked. From the corner, though, Codina’s looping header was helped into goal by the Brighton defender on the line to make it 4-0.
On 68 minutes Laura Wienroither replaced Emily Fox.
Maanum would then flash a cross across goal, but it was just ahead of Miedema.
Sarri would then run onto a through ball, but D’Angelo was out quickly to save, with the rebound going off of Williamson and wide of the post.
On 85 minutes, Arsenal made their final substitution, with Michelle Agyemang replacing Caitlin Foord.
Maanum would make it 5-0 on 88 minutes. From a Brighton corner, Arsenal cleared. Maanum would then win the to set a counter and Miedema looped the ball over the top to send Maanum in one on one. Maanum would make no mistake, calmly slotting past Baagaley.
After the goal, Katie McCabe would come off with an injury, meaning Arsenal would see out the game with 10.
Our women played so well today and those who are leaving us continued to show Arsenal what they will be missing.
Viv’s goal showed her ability as a ghost on the pitch scoring from an unlikely position and did the Brighton players even know that she was there?
Not that far off winning the league, if Viv and Beth had been fit the whole season I reckon we would have won it. Reminds me of the men’s team last season with Saliba and Tomi and Partey getting injured, we would have won the PL last season with them.
We need another top player, or two, as Viv is going.
No memtion of the crowd asking for Jonas to go and for Viv to be offered a new contract here either. Does Tim know something that he has not disclosed? Has he has a cosy chat with Jonas that revealed all?
Strange writing today. Aidan was so impressed with the team’s play today, he got “would”.
Yeah Aidan love what you guys but suggest clear out the dead woulds in the summer.
They played in the new kit. It doesn’t look half bad as a team uniform. But it’s no
Venezia top.
Hate it. So does my (mens team following) brother. We can only hope that both second/ away kits are better
I don’t like it either. Too much white and the blue stripe/flash on the shorts makes it look from behind as if they’re wearing enormous saggy white pants. Not keen on the shade of blue, either. The Spain Women have the same design shorts, but it works in red with a yellow stripe.
Agree, i thought the blue stripe on the shorts makes it look from behind like they are wearing diapers.
Tim, your an excellent writer, not sure why you went mad on the conditional tense (would) here. Anyway as always love reading what you write.
The match reports are written by Aidan Gibson.
Thanks fun gunner