In a scintillating display of attacking prowess, Arsenal’s women’s team made light work of their crosstown rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s WSL north London derby. The Gunners, rejuvenated under the leadership of interim head coach Renée Slegers, cruised to a 3-0 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, extending their unbeaten run to six matches.
Russo Strikes Early
England striker Alessia Russo wasted no time in setting the tone for Arsenal, lashing home a left-footed strike just 64 seconds into the match. The early goal caught Tottenham off guard, and they struggled to find their footing as Arsenal continued to dominate possession.
Maanum Doubles the Lead
Midway through the first half, Norway international Frida Maanum capitalized on a well-worked passing move, stroking the ball into the bottom corner to give Arsenal a 2-0 lead. Tottenham goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar did well to keep out a powerful effort from Bethany England shortly before the break, but it did little to stem the tide of Arsenal attacks.
Tactical Adjustments Pay Off
Under Slegers, Arsenal appear to have found a winning formula, deploying Australia defender Steph Catley as a left-footed centre-back alongside captain Leah Williamson. This tactical tweak has brought balance to the side, allowing Russo to thrive as the focal point of a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation.
We’ve been working hard on our shape and movement in training, and it’s paying off on the pitch. Alessia [Russo] has been brilliant leading the line, and having runners on either side of her has made us a real threat going forward.
– An Arsenal source close to the team
Blackstenius Seals the Win
With Russo given a well-deserved rest, substitute Stina Blackstenius nearly made it 3-0 when her first-time effort clipped the crossbar. However, the Sweden striker would not be denied moments later, latching onto a through ball and slotting past a helpless Becky Spencer to seal the victory for the away side.
Contrasting Fortunes
While Arsenal celebrated a resounding win in front of their jubilant supporters, Tottenham head coach Robert Vilahamn cut a forlorn figure on the touchline. The defeat marked Spurs’ fifth loss in their last six outings, a stark contrast to the euphoric scenes witnessed at the stadium last season when they beat Arsenal for the first time in WSL history.
As the WSL season progresses, Arsenal will look to build on this impressive performance and mount a serious challenge for the title. With Slegers at the helm and a squad brimming with talent, the Gunners appear well-equipped to do just that. For Tottenham, however, the road ahead looks far more uncertain as they seek to halt their slide down the table and recapture the form that saw them make history against their north London rivals just a year ago.
