We moved up to second in the Barclays Women's Super League with a 3-1 win over Everton at Walton Hall Park.
Alessia Russo put our Gunners in front in the first half, before the hosts tied the game ten minutes later. We regained our advantage at the hour mark before Russo popped up once more to finish the game with a flourish.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Renée Slegers made three changes to the side that fell to defeat in the Adobe Women's FA Cup quarter-final last weekend, with Manuela Zinsberger, Lia Walti and Chloe Kelly stepping in.
Our Gunners lined up against Everton looking to bounce back from disappointment against Liverpool but there was a pedestrian start to proceedings at Walton Hall Park.
Zinsberger pulled off a good save early on to deny Honoka Hayashi and at the other end of the pitch, our forward line struggled to avoid the offside flag.
Some early speculative crosses from Mariona Caldentey towards a lively Chloe Kelly showed promise and our side grew into the game after the 20-minute mark with improved passing rhythm and one-touch football.
This effort paid off in the 24th minute as Mariona played an insightful through ball to an onrushing Kim Little. Our captain sent a low pass across goal and Alessia Russo was there to tap home for her 14th goal of the season.
But as we failed to capitalise on our advantage, the hosts equalised out of nowhere ten minutes later. Walti was pickpocketed in the final third and Katja Snoeijs' attempt at goal went straight to Steph Catley. In the ensuing goalmouth scramble, Toni Payne was there to sneak it in past Zinsberger to level.
Both Mariona and Kelly saw promising shots glide over the bar and we were unable to reinstate our lead before the half-time whistle.
With the all-important breakthrough still eluding us at the hour mark, Slegers turned to the subs bench. Our head coach made four simultaneous changes to introduce Stina Blackstenius, Caitlin Foord, Beth Mead and Kyra Cooney-Cross.
Their impact was instantaneous after some slick attacking play allowed Emily Fox to race through on goal and set up Blackstenius near the penalty shot. Our Swede’s shot was eventually turned it at the far post by Everton’s Maren Mjelde.
From that moment on, our Gunners looked more like a cohesive unit in attack and defence and we continued to probe the Toffees’ backline.
Steph Catley hit the woodwork twice in quick succession and several set pieces forced good stops from Courtney Brosnan in the Everton goal to keep it 2-1.
It was up to Alessia Russo to put the game to bed and add to her own personal tally in the 89th minute. Beth Mead played the ball to our number 23 to then round the keeper and finish with aplomb.
WHAT'S NEXT?
We step away from league action for the first of two legs in the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals.
Our Gunners take on Real Madrid on Tuesday, March 18 with kick-off at 5.45pm (UK).
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal starting XI: Zinsberger, Fox (Hurtig 86), Williamson, Catley, Mariona, Little (C) (Blackstenius, 61), McCabe, Maanum (Foord, 61), Walti (Cooney-Cross, 61), Kelly (Mead, 61) Russo
Subs: Williams, Ilestedt, Nighswonger, Pelova,
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