Arsenal put in a brilliant display in front of a record crowd at Emirates Stadium to record a humbling victory over champions Chelsea, ensuring the defence of their Women’s Super League title will not be an easy one.
The Gunners are now level on points with the leaders, who are ahead only on goal difference following their first league defeat of the season in front of 59,042 people – a new WSL record.
England forward Beth Mead gave Arsenal the perfect start when she fired in the opener after just eight minutes but Chelsea responded against the run of play to equalise through Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd.
Chelsea’s goal did little to kick them into gear and instead ignited even more energy from Arsenal, who went on to dominate the first half and saw out their victory after the break.
Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger failed to make contact when she came out to collect a corner and left Amanda Ilestedt with an open goal for Arsenal’s second, and the Gunners were 3-1 up at half-time thanks to a cool Alessia Russo finish.
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes was visibly frustrated throughout and made three changes at half-time, as well as a formation switch, in an attempt to turn things around.
But while it slowed some of Arsenal’s momentum, Chelsea never really looked like getting back into the game and Russo confirmed the three points were staying in north London when she added a fourth goal from the penalty spot.
Gunners show title credentials in abundance
Any suggestion that Chelsea were going to run away with the league this season was quickly silenced as Arsenal turned up full of aggression and intent at Emirates Stadium.
They put Chelsea on the back foot immediately and visiting manager Hayes spent the majority of the first half flapping her arms in frustration and in deep conversation with defenders Jess Carter and Niamh Charles.
She unleashed her frustration on England forward Lauren James when Arsenal were once again allowed too much space on the right in the first half. James herself could not hide her emotions when she stood on Arsenal’s Lia Walti after giving away a free-kick in the second half and was fortunate to avoid a red card.
Arsenal striker Russo was a constant threat, making dangerous runs in behind and linking with midfielders Kim Little and Walti – the Switzerland captain providing an exquisite through ball for Russo’s first goal shortly before half-time.
The Gunners could have added to their tally late on as Chelsea piled numbers forward in an attempt to come away with something vaguely positive and gaps opened up at both ends.
But there was no question as to who was the better side and in this form, Arsenal are more than capable of winning the WSL title. However, there are not many occasions when Chelsea’s level drops as low as it did here.
Line-ups
Arsenal Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Zinsberger
- 15McCabeBooked at 54mins
- 28Ilestedt
- 3Wubben-Moy
- 7CatleySubstituted forMaritzat 76′minutesBooked at 82mins
- 21PelovaBooked at 87minsSubstituted forCooney-Crossat 90+3′minutes
- 13Wälti
- 9MeadSubstituted forLacasseat 75′minutes
- 10LittleSubstituted forMaanumat 61′minutesBooked at 84mins
- 19FoordBooked at 56mins
- 23RussoSubstituted forBlacksteniusat 76′minutes
Substitutes
- 5Beattie
- 11Miedema
- 12Maanum
- 14D’Angelo
- 16Maritz
- 24Lacasse
- 25Blackstenius
- 27Codina
- 32Cooney-Cross
Chelsea Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 30Berger
- 15PérissetSubstituted forLawrenceat 45′minutes
- 18MjeldeSubstituted forBuchananat 45′minutes
- 7Carter
- 21Charles
- 6NüskenSubstituted forKirbyat 45′minutes
- 22Cuthbert
- 19Rytting KanerydSubstituted forReitenat 64′minutes
- 17Fleming
- 10JamesBooked at 70minsSubstituted forFishelat 75′minutes
- 20Kerr
Substitutes
- 1Musovic
- 2Fishel
- 5Ingle
- 11Reiten
- 12Lawrence
- 14Kirby
- 24Hampton
- 26Buchanan
- 33Beever-Jones
- Referee:
- Rebecca Welch
- Attendance:
- 59,042
Live Text
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Match ends, Arsenal Women 4, Chelsea Women 1.
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Second Half ends, Arsenal Women 4, Chelsea Women 1.
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Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Kadeisha Buchanan.
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Attempt saved. Sam Kerr (Chelsea Women) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Fran Kirby.
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Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Katie McCabe (Arsenal Women).
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Attempt missed. Cloé Lacasse (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Stina Blackstenius.
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Attempt saved. Mia Fishel (Chelsea Women) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jessie Fleming.
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Substitution, Arsenal Women. Kyra Cooney-Cross replaces Victoria Pelova.
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Attempt missed. Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal Women) header from very close range is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Katie McCabe with a cross following a set piece situation.
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Foul by Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea Women).
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Katie McCabe (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt blocked. Jessie Fleming (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sam Kerr.
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Attempt missed. Mia Fishel (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Sam Kerr.
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Offside, Arsenal Women. Caitlin Foord is caught offside.
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Attempt missed. Sam Kerr (Chelsea Women) header from the right side of the six yard box misses to the left. Assisted by Guro Reiten with a cross.
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Attempt blocked. Sam Kerr (Chelsea Women) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Guro Reiten with a cross.
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Victoria Pelova (Arsenal Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Victoria Pelova (Arsenal Women).
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.