Arsenal women sends message to the WSL with dominant five-goal display

Arsenal Women secured a commanding 5-1 victory over West Ham in their second game week of the Women’s Super League season.

It was a performance that underlined their attacking power and resilience after a difficult start.

A shaky beginning turned around

The match began dramatically when goalkeeper Daphne Von Domselaar was at fault for an early mistake.

Her error resulted in an own goal which handed West Ham an unexpected lead. Arsenal quickly settled and grew into the game, showing composure despite the setback.

Their persistence was rewarded in the 21st minute when Frida Maanum struck home after a well-timed pass from Beth Mead.

The equaliser lifted the Gunners, but they could not add to their tally before the interval. Both sides went into the break level, leaving the second half wide open.

Manager Renée Slegers made a bold decision at half-time by replacing Maanum with Stina Blackstenius.

The change paid off almost immediately as the Swedish forward fired Arsenal ahead in the 52nd minute. That goal shifted the momentum fully in favour of the home side.

Arsenal’s second-half dominance

Caitlin Foord thought she had added another when she finished from a rebound, but her effort was disallowed for offside.

However, she soon made her impact count when she met a precise cross from Mariona Caldentey.

The Spaniard, crowned PFA Player of the Season in 2024/25, displayed her class with a superb delivery that allowed Foord to head in Arsenal’s third.

Substitute Olivia Smith brought fresh energy when she was introduced in the 63rd minute. Her influence grew as the game progressed, and she became central to Arsenal’s late dominance.

In the 90th minute, Smith assisted Alessia Russo, who unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box to extend the lead.

There was still time for one more. Deep into stoppage time, Smith was fouled inside the penalty area, earning her side a spot kick.

Russo stepped up confidently and converted from the spot to complete her brace and seal Arsenal’s emphatic 5-1 win.

The result means Renée Slegers’ side have taken maximum points from their first two matches of the new campaign, sending a strong message to their rivals.

The post Arsenal women sends message to the WSL with dominant five-goal display first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.