The stage was set in N5, as Emirates Stadium played the host to a record-breaking Barclays Women’s Super League crowd of 59,042. In perhaps what arrived as the biggest fixture of the season thus far, Arsenal hosted London neighbours Chelsea, in what was certain to be a dramatic afternoon of football.

The Red and White army brought the noise, and down on the pitch, all was felt amongst the Arsenal team. The Gunners looked hungry from the outset, testing Chelsea’s last line on multiple occasions in the game’s opening minutes.

It wasn’t long before the energy gained entry, a streaming Caitlin Foord catalysing a scuffle inside the area. Before a skilful turn from Victoria Pelova found Beth Mead expertly, the English forward cutting onto her left foot and sinking the ball into the roof of Ann Katrin-Berger’s net. Emirates stadium erupted, three goals in two consecutive league games for their beloved number 9.

Though rapture was soon to be silenced, as Johanna Rytting Kaneyrd brushed off a tracking Steph Catley and sunk the ball into the bottom left corner. An immediate response from the Blues saw Sam Kerr turn and ask the stands where the noise had disappeared to.

“Arsenal…Arsenal…Arsenal.” You don’t have to ask Gunners fans twice.

The equaliser allowed Emma Hayes’s Blues the opportunity to split the contest, Chelsea beginning to find footing amidst the pressing whirlwind of the girls in red and white. Though any tempo discovered was quick to falter, the Gunners relentless on the attack.

Deliveries as excellent as Steph Caltey’s corner assist are hard to come by, the Australian finding the head of Amanda Ilestedt as the Swedish defender pulled the Gunners in front in the 36th minute of play.

All too familiar with the quality of their opponent, Arsenal refused to take their foot off the gas. Lia Wälti’s masterful through ball found Chelsea’s last line in disarray, as a charging Alessia Russo took possession before sailing the ball past a stunned Katrin-Berger to give Arsenal their third. A finish delivered in true Thierry Henry-Esque fashion, a piling Arsenal side celebrate in rapture with their new number 23.

Frustration mounted in the Chelsea dug out as Arsenal head into the break with a 3-1 lead, Emma Hayes opting to make three changes to her uncharacteristically underperforming side. Sjoeke Nüsken, Maren Mjelde and Eve Périsset all making way for Ashleigh Lawrence, Fran Kirby, and Kadeisha Buchanan.
The visitors began to spring to life, slowly regaining their tempo and causing trouble for Arsenal. Though despite the persistent attempts in attack, Arsenal’s last line proved too clinical, disallowing the visitors any opportunity to halve their deficit.

All remained exact on the scoresheet, before an attacking Russo was caught in the crossfire of a clean-up collision from Jess Carter and Katrin-Berger, match referee Rebecca Welch signalling to the penalty spot. Arsenal’s leading penalty taker in Kim Little had made way just minutes prior, the question of who would step up to the spot left unanswered.

An already electric Alessia Russo walked up to the mark, Arsenal fans nervously plagued with the memory of her previous miss in the UWCL qualifiers mere months ago. The leadership decision to give Russo the oppurtintiy to redeem her confidence was awarded with glee, the striker expertly finding the bottom right-corner to give Arsenal their fourth. The noise in Emirates Stadium reached surplus, as Katie McCabe and Beth Mead pushed the goalscorer toward the North Bank to celebrate her well-deserved brace with the fans in Red.

All wrapped up at Emirates Stadium, a dominant display from Arsenal earning them the city’s bragging rights. The 4-1 victory saw Arsenal cease the opportunity to climb level with Chelsea on the league table. All that separates the two sides on 22 points is a three goal deficit, ensuring a very exciting 2024 in the Barclays Women’s Super League.