Football Review | Leicester City 1 -4 Arsenal

Momentum building for Arsenal

Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius ran riot as Arsenal secured a third consecutive victory across all competitions, overpowering Leicester City in the Women’s Super League.

Author | DJ

Stadium | King Power Stadium

Russo opened the scoring with a close-range finish before Leicester defender Sari Kees diverted the ball into her own net. Blackstenius then completed a slick team move to put Arsenal firmly in control by half-time.

Leicester substitute Noemie Mouchon pulled one back with a brilliant solo effort, only for Blackstenius to respond immediately with her second.

The huge Arsenal following at witnessed a polished display reminiscent of the side that claimed Champions League glory last season.

Playing just behind Blackstenius, Russo was alert to capitalise when her team-mate miscontrolled a low cross. Both players had earlier squandered chances before Kees inadvertently turned Caitlin Foord’s cross past her own goalkeeper.

Blackstenius ended her five-game goal drought by sweeping in from Beth Mead’s cross following a fluid move involving Mariona Caldentey.

Leicester went close shortly after the break when Mouchon, having outwitted Laia Codina, fired straight at Daphne van Domselaar. The substitute redeemed herself with a surging solo effort from her own half, but Blackstenius quickly restored Arsenal’s two-goal advantage with a powerful run behind the defence and a clinical finish.

After a four-game winless spell earlier in the season, Renee Slegers’ Arsenal have now recorded back-to-back WSL victories for the first time since September. They remain fifth in the table, five points behind leaders Chelsea, while Leicester slipped to third from bottom.

Arsenal hitting form at the right moment

Slegers had said on Friday that her players were aware of their capabilities, and they delivered on that promise.

Despite the absence of Frida Maanum and Olivia Smith through injury, and Kyra Cooney-Cross with illness, Arsenal dominated from the outset.

Blackstenius signalled her threat early by chasing a dangerous throughball in the opening seconds, repeating such bursts throughout the 90 minutes.

Having started only one WSL match this season before Sunday, she and Russo demonstrated the potential of a lethal partnership when the England forward operates just behind her.