The stage was set in N7, as Arsenal geared up to host Tottenham Hotspur for what was to be a back-to-back sell out at Emirates Stadium. The North London derby returns for it’s reverse legs, as the Gunners look to claim back the city’s bragging rights from a stubborn Spurs outfit.

The Gunners would arrive with an insatiable eagerness to close the widening gap between themselves and the league table’s summit. Jonas Eidevall makes the dual change to his starting eleven, as Stina Blackstenius makes way for Alessia Russo on the occasion. Sabrina D’Angelo falls out of the lineup due to her current spell with the Canadian national team, as Manuela Zinsberger returns to the starting eleven in her place.

As for the Spurs, Robert Vilahamn makes a triple change to his starting eleven to face the Gunners. Becky Spencer returns in between the goal posts, whilst Eveliina Summanen replaces Olga Ahtinen in the field’s central areas. Tottenham captain Bethany England drops to the bench as the most notable change, with exciting striking power Jessica Naz leading the line in N7.

ARS: Zinsberger; McCabe, Wubben-Moy, Williamson, Catley, Wälti, Little, Maanum, Mead, Russo, Foord

TOT: Spencer; Neville, James-Turner, Bartrip, Nilden, Graham, Summanen, Thomas, Naz, Bizet, Clinton

It was the home side that started on the front foot, as Victoria Pelova claimed the wide area with conviction. A cleared cross saw possession fall to Beth Mead inside of the area, though her strike was evaded by a stretching Molly Batrip.

Arsenal continued to cause early troubles for Tottenham’s last line, as Caitlin Foord worked relentlessly down the left wing. Ashleigh Neville would take no prisoners, seeing Foord’s footwork out and behind for a corner. Mead’s searching corner arrived in an opportunistic position, though Alessia Russo’s strike would prove too weak to cause Becky Spencer any issues.

Tottenham saw their first real look at it through Martha Thomas, as the Scottish striker gained possession near the halfway line. Though her searching ball was incredibly missed time, giving Manuela Zinsberger acres of space to collect it.

With six corners in the opening 10 minutes, the Gunners failed to convert an onboard of pristine corner attempts from Steph Catley.

Tottenham’s first shot on target materialised through Thomas, as she worked expertly to lose her marker in Lia Wälti down the right side. Entering the box with conviction, Thomas’s strike was well saved by Zinsberger between the goal posts.

The Spurs began to see a spark, as Naz took possession down the left side. Cutting in on her right foot, the Tottenham striker let an arrow fly, only to narrowly tipped over by Zinsberger.

Foord continued to bring nightmares to the Spurs defence, as she found herself advancing in on goal. Despite her best efforts, her strike narrowly ran wide of the posts. Irregardless, the flag was raised to indicate that Arsenal’s number 19 was offside.

Proceedings recommenced following the interval, as the Gunners eagerly searched to break the deadlock. McCabe tried to get herself involved, though her strike from range took a deflection and flew just wide.

It wouldn’t be long before the Gunners would turn the stalemate in their favour, as Kim Little sent an exceptional ball cross field to find Mead on the advance. Mead’s touch was impossible to fault, as she worked well to rattle the Tottenham last line. A scrap was cleaned up by a looming Russo, as the Arsenal number 23 made no mistake in sending the net rippling for the first of the afternoon.

Pleas from the away end called for a case that saw Mead wandering in what may have been an offside position, though the goal stood.

Emirates Stadium erupted as the fourth official indicated a substitution to be made from the sidelines. Childhood Arsenal fan, Leah Williamson, took the field for her first appearance at a sold out Emirates Stadium. The fan reception produced a cauldron atmosphere as the Arsenal number six took to the grass.

Tensions began to rise exponentially, as Eveliina Summanen fouled Lia Wälti outside of the area. McCabe raised her hand for the strike, though her attempt from range was easily collected by Spencer.

Kyra Cooney-Cross displayed poised control inside the area, as her footwork worked well to evade the Spurs last line. Though the Australian failed to get a shot off before being dispossessed inside of the box.

The visitors were desperate to make up for the deficit, as Grace Clinton charged the right area with intent. Her ball looked likely to reach an advancing Amy James-Turner, though a brave challenge from Cooney-Cross saw Arsenal hold their lead in the fixture’s dying moments.

Russo’s strike would prove to be the difference in N7, as Arsenal claim back North London bragging rights in front of a sold out Emirates Stadium.