Arsenal: Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Wälti; Foord, Maanum, Mariona; Russo
Substitutes: Zinsberger, Wubben-Moy, Codina, Mead, Kafaji, Hurtig, Blackstenius, Wienroither, Cooney-Cross
Arsenal have won back to back games in the WSL for the first time this season, beating Tottenham 3-0 at the Toilet Bowl (because Tottenham get battered everywhere they go, even when they’re home).
Renée Slegers made one change to the team that beat Juventus midweek, with Mariona returning to the starting lineup. Beth Mead dropped to the bench.
First Half
Arsenal got off to the perfect start, with Alessia Russo giving the Gunners the lead after 65 seconds. Russo knocked back a long ball to Maanum, who passed back to Mariona. Mariona’s pass deflected kindly into Russo’s path, and her first time left footed shot flew into the net. 0-1.
Arsenal were monopolising the ball, and could’ve added a second before fifteen minutes. Russo took McCabe’s throw on the byline, turned away from Buhler, and cutback into the middle for Foord, whose shot was blocked by Nilden.
Arsenal’s dominance would pay off on 22 minutes. After a period of passive possession, Williamson sharply passed Maanum, who flicked the ball back to Little. She continued her run, and Little slipped the pass to her, and from the top of penalty area, Maanum passed her shot beyond Spencer into the bottom corner. 0-2.
McCabe won the ball back after Mariona got nutmegged, getting first to the pass and continuing on to win a corner. From the corner, Maanum’s delivery was headed across goal by Russo and Foord’s shot was blocked by her compatriot Clare Hunt.
Arsenal almost got into a spot of bother when Raso pressed Van Domselaar, but the keeper was able to get rid of the ball in time, and Wälti cleaned up after Tottenham won possession.
Tottenham, though, would have a chance. Little lost the ball, and Spence played into England as Tottenham countered. England shot from the edge of the box, and Van Domselaar made an impressive one-handed save.
Tottenham won a free kick on the stroke of half time, and the delivery looked for Beth England, but Leah Williamson headed behind for a corner. From the corner, Nilden shot well over the bar.
Second Half
Renée Slegers made a substitution at half time, with Kyra Cooney-Cross replacing Kim Little.
With the next goal crucial, the half started off quite bitty. Tottenham upped their own intensity level, and resorted to stopping Arsenal by fouls. Clare Hunt was booked in the 51st minute after pulling back Caitlin Foord. From the free kick, the ball was rolled to McCabe, who shot straight at Spencer.
Arsenal had a long spell of possession on the hour mark, working the ball back to front before Mariona set Russo away down the left of the penalty box. Russo crossed, and Foord, under pressure from Nilden, shot wide.
Arsenal made a double substitution on 64 minutes as Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius replaced Caitlin Foord and Alessia Russo.
Blackstenius’ first touch was a shot. McCabe won the ball back from Spence on the byline, and cutback for Blackstenius, whose shot went over the bar.
A minute later, Blackstenius’ second touch would seal the points. Fox played into Maanum. With acres of space, Maanum was able to play to Mariona, whose clever and soft pass sent Blackstenius through on goal, and she made no mistake. 0-3.
On 79 minutes, Rosa Kafaji replaced Mariona.
On 85 minutes, Lotte Wubben-Moy replaced Katie McCabe, with Steph Catley going to left back.
Nonsensical PGMOL refereeing meant Steph Catley was booked for taking too long on a throw-in in the 90th minute.
In the final minute, Maanum drove inside, as Arsenal looked for a fourth goal, but her shot went well over the bar.
Yep, that is more like it! Gone is that stale, ponderous, snail-like football. Love it. Particularly loved Mariona’s touch for Stina’s goal and the build to the second — what a season Maanum is having in front of goal, btw!
Yeah, I noticed that touch – Mariona is a really classy player, deceptively so at times & full on at other times.
Happy happy happy – sing it with speed and class – like arsenal 😁
The players have clearly been told not to express an opinion about the same/next manager. But the thing they’re all saying is that they are ‘playing with more freedom’ and able to “express myself”. – It shows.
Renee Slegers is doing a great job. I would let her at least have the season to see how it pans out!
Same. There is no benefit to bringing in someone new whose style and gameplay the players have to absorb. They need a period of stability
Nice save for Daph on that England rocket.
Great game to watch. The BBC gave POTM to Maanum, and it’s hard to disagree. As well as scoring the second goal, and finding Caldentey in space to assist the third, she was leading the press and making a nuisance of herself throughout. I’ll forgive her the attempt at glory when we were already 3 up deep into injury time!
Great to see how Leah Williamson has got her form back after her injury. Also good to see Lotte get 5 minutes at the end following her troubles with concussion.