Arsenal won their away game in Brighton with 3:0, resulting in their fifth consecutive win this season.
As Brighton never won against the Gunners in a WSL match before, Arsenal started this game as clear favourites. Although the Seagulls hoped for a second consecutive win in the league, the first few minutes had already set the tone for the outcome of this clash.
Arsenal took an early lead with a goal in the 12th minute from Sting Blackstenius. Brighton goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley managed to stop the ball at first but the rebound went straight over her head, into the top left corner.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter the early shock, the Seagulls increased their performance but the finishes were not precise enough, resulting in only two shots on target in the first 45 minutes.
Brighton started the second half ambitious to get back with great work from Maria Thorisdóttir to Katie Robinson but she was blocked.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe rest of the second half saw chances on both sides but only Arsenal was able to turn them into goals.
Caitlin Foord scored from outside the box in the 80th minute and substitute Frida Maanum secured the win in the 90th+5 minute, making the final score 3:0.
Embed from Getty ImagesArsenal coach Jonas Eidevall was especially impressed with the second half of his team as he said in the post-match conference: “We wanted to be really aggressive (…) and I think we did that really well in the second half.”
Although Brighton “have some really strong target players”, Eidevall managed to prepare the squad perfectly to use Brightons weaknesses against them.
Embed from Getty ImagesBrighton’s coach Melissa Phillips acknowledged a “competitive first half” from the Seagulls but the goal efficiency was not good enough in order to win, because “we did not ask enough questions in their (Arsenal’s) box.”
Furthermore she said: “We all are disappointed about the late goals that we conceded (…) but not in a way where we won’t take ownership.”
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Seagulls are therefore still waiting for a win against Gunners, as they take their fifth consecutive win in this years WSL season.
