Arsenal Women beat Brighton 4-0 to go top of WSL - report

Arsenal Women ran out comfortable winners on Sunday afternoon, beating Brighton and Hove Albion Women 4-0 to go top of the FA WSL on goal difference. Goals from Kim Little and Vivianne Miedema saw the Gunners jump out to a 2-0 lead, with Danielle van de Donk and Jordan Nobbs scoring in the second half.

Joe Montemurro started Leah Williamson in midfield again, and the England international was again instrumental with her ability to play through the lines and evade pressure. That gave the platform for the work ahead of her, by the other midfielders, Little and Nobbs, and Miedema. With Danielle van de Donk playing a nominal wide role, Arsenal’s attack was very fluid, with Miedema the figurehead and platform, off of whom movement was based around. For the first goal, Miedema, having dropped deep, received the ball from centre back Jen Beattie, and then slipped in Kim Little, who finished cleanly past Megan Walsh. It was reminiscent of a number of goals that Arsenal have scored this month, with Little and Miedema’s partnership an important part of Arsenal’s attack.

With Nobbs, Little, Van de Donk and Miedema all starting, Arsenal’s one-touch play through the midfield was at a high level—perhaps the highest since Arsenal lost the ability to play all three last season. The second goal was an interchange of passes: Little, to Nobbs, who laid the ball off for Miedema to strike home with her left foot. For the third goal, Arsenal’s counterpressing won the ball back high up the pitch, and two passes later, Miedema slipped in Van de Donk to make it 3-0.

The fourth goal was a well-deserved first of the season for Jordan Nobbs, and another great team move: Williamson’s pass from deep to Miedema, who laid the ball off for Little, who played in Beth Mead. Mead’s cross made its way to Katie McCabe on the left, and her cross was headed to Nobbs, whose volley slipped through Megan Walsh’s hands.