Arsenal 1-0 Brighton: Gunners grind out victory against resilient Seagulls
In a difficult and tense affair at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal finally ended their four-match winless streak with a 1-0 win over Brighton in the Women’s Super League.
Despite long periods of dominance, the Gunners once again lacked attacking fluidity, but a deflected strike and a defiant goalkeeping performance proved enough to take them to a vital three points.
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As it happened
Arsenal started well and quickly took a deserved lead. In the 15th minute, Olivia Smith delivered a low cross whose trajectory was altered by Brighton defender Marisa Olislagers, the wrong-footed goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and nestling in the net. Give the hosts the advantage.
However, the Gunners were unable to take advantage. Brighton gradually entered the match and were close before half-time. Kiko Seike tested Daphne van Domselaar, and she was alert enough to turn her down twice.
At the start of the second half, Arsenal had a great chance to make it 2-0. Maelys Mpomé clears the line following an Arsenal corner routine which appears to open up the Brighton defense. Soon, Carla Camacho’s header from a cross was superbly saved by Van Domselaar as she preserved the one-goal lead.
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The game then takes a worrying turn. Play was halted for around 10 minutes in the second half after Mpomé fell awkwardly, hit in the face by the ball. She was treated in the field with a brace and was stretched. Brighton manager Dario Vidošić later confirmed that she had suffered a concussion.
After the restart, Brighton suffered another setback when captain Maisie Symonds was also forced to pick up an injury, compounding their defensive problems.
As the clock ticked down, Arsenal piled on the pressure. Stina Blackstenius came closest to sealing the victory when she headed a corner onto the bar, while a shot then drifted narrowly wide. Despite all their efforts, the margin was slim until the finish.
At full time, Arsenal had secured a scrappy but unconvincing 1-0 victory. This victory places them fifth in the WSL table, now five points behind leaders Chelsea.
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Although Brighton fought valiantly, they lacked the advantage of causing Arsenal defensive problems with regularity. Nnadozie, although helpless in the face of the own goal, made a series of decent saves, particularly from close range attempts, but her elevated starting position looked vulnerable at times.
For Arsenal, it was a crucial psychological boost. Manager Renée Slegers acknowledged the flaws in her team’s performance, but was rightly delighted to pick up a result when they were not at their best.