Arsenal Women delivered a masterclass in the Women’s Super League (WSL), demolishing their north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 5-0 in a thrilling derby at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners put on an attacking spectacle, reaffirming their dominance in the league and keeping their title hopes alive.
From the very first whistle, Arsenal controlled the game, suffocating Spurs with high-intensity pressing and relentless attacking play. The Gunners took the lead in the 15th minute when Alessia Russo’s glancing header deflected off Tottenham defender Clare Hunt and into the net. This early breakthrough set the tone for what was to come.
Mariona Caldentey doubled Arsenal’s advantage in the 35th minute, reacting quickly to a loose ball inside the box and rifling a shot past goalkeeper Lize Kop.
By halftime, the home side had amassed 72% possession, 15 shots to Spurs’ two, and 31 touches in the opposition penalty area compared to Tottenham’s meager two.
Second-Half Blitz Secures Statement Win
Despite a brief moment of defensive resilience from Spurs, Arsenal found their rhythm again in the second half. Norwegian midfielder Frida Maanum extended the lead in the 51st minute with a heavily deflected shot that left Kop helpless. Just seven minutes later, Russo struck again, finishing clinically into the bottom corner to pile on the misery for Tottenham.
The Emirates Stadium erupted when Chloe Kelly was introduced in the 60th minute, marking her second debut for the club after rejoining from Manchester City.
Her presence lifted the atmosphere, and Arsenal continued their dominance. Emily Fox put the finishing touch on the emphatic victory with a stunning long-range strike in the dying moments of the match, sending the crowd of 56,784 into raptures.
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Kelly’s Emotional Return Adds to Arsenal’s Joy
A major talking point of the game was the return of Chloe Kelly to the Arsenal lineup. Having completed a deadline-day loan move from Manchester City, she was ineligible for previous matches but was given a hero’s welcome by the Emirates faithful.
Arsenal manager Renée Slegers highlighted the importance of Kelly’s return, stating: “She’s passionate as a person. You can see she’s smiling a lot and is very happy with where she’s at. It’s important that you have players in a good place, feeling motivated. That’s when you get the most out of them.”
Kelly nearly marked her return with a goal, striking the crossbar late in the match, but her impact was undeniable. Her reintroduction into the Arsenal squad is expected to provide a crucial boost in their pursuit of the WSL title.
Tottenham Left Searching for Answers
For Tottenham, this result marks yet another setback in what has been a turbulent season. Manager Robert Vilahamn admitted that his side was outclassed but remained determined to implement his philosophy.
“Most teams will lose away at Arsenal, but if you lose 5-0, that’s not good,” Vilahamn stated. “You can look at why you play too many short passes and try to build up. We want to develop that game, but we need to find the right balance.”
While Spurs did manage two shots on target, their lack of cutting edge and defensive frailties were evident. Their best chance came in the 65th minute when Drew Spence forced a save from Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Daphne van Domselaar, but that was a rare highlight in an otherwise miserable evening.
With this victory, Arsenal secured their ninth win in 11 league meetings against Tottenham, further asserting their dominance in the north London rivalry. More importantly, they continue their march towards the WSL title, with every point proving crucial in a tightly contested season.
This result leaves Arsenal firmly in the race, while Spurs must regroup quickly to salvage their season. The Gunners’ attacking prowess, coupled with their rock-solid defense, makes them a formidable force in the competition.
