Arsenal triumph over Brighton in a decisive 4-0 win, moving up to third place in the WSL with impressive performances from key players.

• Arsenal secured a comprehensive 4-0 victory against Brighton, with Stina Blackstenius, Frida Maanum and Victoria Pelova scoring the goals.
• Despite a last-minute change in the starting XI, Arsenal displayed remarkable adaptability and dominance throughout the match.
• The win propelled Arsenal above Manchester City in the WSL table, back into the Champions League qualifying spots.

On an evening of decisive dominance, Arsenal dispatched Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0 at the Broadfield Stadium on Wednesday, propelling themselves above Manchester City in the Women’s Super League table, with a game in hand.

It was a sparkling display from the Gunners, with goals from Stina Blackstenius, Frida Maanum and Victoria Pelova sealing the victory. Despite a last-minute change in the starting XI as Lia Walti (who was feeling ill) was replaced by Jodie Taylor, the Gunners were swift to assert their control on the game.

The sixth minute saw the first goal as captain Katie McCabe found Blackstenius surging down the left. The Swedish striker cut inside and deftly put the ball in the bottom-right corner. “She has worked so hard on the training ground to be more dangerous and her off the ball positioning has really improved,” said Arsenal’s manager Jonas Eidevall post-match.

A two-minute brace came soon after for Blackstenius, capitalising on a Brighton defensive error. Despite having both Taylor and Pelova on her flanks, she chose to go alone, doubling Arsenal’s advantage.

Brighton barely had time to regroup before the Gunners struck again, this time Maanum finding the net from a counter-attack move. Pelova rounded off the first-half scoring spree with her first WSL goal, taking her opportunity well from a tight angle.

As Brighton tried to claw their way back in the second half, Arsenal’s defence stood firm.

Jen Beattie and Manuela Zinsberger pulled off crucial blocks to keep the Seagulls at bay. The Gunners’ defensive performance did not go unnoticed by Eidevall, who commented, “The effort and the commitment in the penalty area was faultless. For example, Lotte’s block is a huge defensive play.”

The evening also brought positive injury news as Caitlin Foord made her return from injury. Teyah Goldie also made her first appearance in 14 months after a serious ACL injury, and 18-year-old Freya Godfrey earned her official debut for Arsenal.

The victory secured Arsenal’s spot in the Champions League qualifying positions, overtaking Manchester City.

“It is the same for a coach, when you have to make a habit of finding solutions, then you understand it is normal,” Eidevall reflected on the team’s adaptability despite their injury situation.

Next for Arsenal is a trip to Merseyside to face Brian Sorensen’s Everton on May 17, carrying the momentum of this emphatic victory into their next fixture.

The men’s side, however, will be hoping they can produce a similar performance and result when they face an injury-hit Brighton side on Sunday.

Jonas Eidevall post-match

After the match, Arsenal’s manager Jonas Eidevall spoke about the game’s key points:

• Eidevall lauded the team’s improved ball control and decision-making compared to their matches against Leicester and Wolfsburg. He acknowledged the changes in formation in the second half, which he said led to more “wide overloads” and chance creation.
• The manager praised the adaptability of his team, particularly Jodie Taylor and Victoria Pelova, who had to change positions due to Lia Walti’s last-minute dropout. Eidevall emphasised the importance of his technical staff’s detailed planning and hypothetical scenario discussions, which helped in making quick decisions during the game.
• Eidevall confirmed that Rafaelle’s halftime substitution was a strategic decision for load management, given the team’s comfortable 4-0 lead, and not due to injury.
• He appreciated Stina Blackstenius’ performance, highlighting her improved off-the-ball positioning and the timing of her runs. Eidevall also lauded Frida Maanum’s goal, which he said had similarities with the goal against Bayern Munich.
• Eidevall was delighted with the team’s defensive performance and commitment in the penalty area. He also mentioned the significant contribution of Lotte’s block, which he termed as a “huge defensive play”.
• Regarding the team’s adaptability amidst the injury situation, Eidevall conceded that such circumstances made the team stronger and more prepared for different scenarios.
• Lastly, Eidevall shared that he was pleasantly surprised by the team’s early 2-0 lead, as he always expects every game to be tough and challenging. He believes this mindset helps the team prepare and work through every scenario effectively.