An incredible five minute rampage saw the Gunners fly home to a 4-3 victory over West Ham United in the Women’s Super League (WSL).
Amber Tysiak’s early brace saw Arsenal defeated early, before Manchester City loanee Chloe Kelly pulled one back before the break. Shekiera Martinez was able to extend West Ham’s lead as the second half commenced, before a five-minute rampage stole victory for the Gunners.
Goals from Katie McCabe, Leah Williamson and Mariona Caldentey saw Arsenal maintain their top-three push as the season ticks down.
Despite playing three full games at the SheBelieves Cup, Steph Catley was made to start against the Irons due to injuries to Lotte Wubben-Moy and Laia Codina.
Rehanne Skinner opted to ease her returning players back into action, with Japan’s Riko Ueki and Australia’s Katrina Gorry left on the bench.
The Lineups
ARS: van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Wälti, Little, Maanum; Kelly, Mariona, Russo
WHU: Szemik; Smith, Nyström, Tysiak, Hanshaw; Piubel, Siren, Brynjarsdottir, Asseyi; Martinez, Saez
The Action
West Ham United were awarded a huge chance in the early stages, as Shekiera Martinez played it on to Viviane Asseyi inside of the area. A desperate intervention from Kim Little was enough to deter Asseyi’s strike, which was palmed behind for a corner by Daphne van Domselaar.
A brilliant delivery from Asseyi saw Lia Wälti lose her player inside of the area before Amber Tysiak headed home the opener in the 6th minute of play.
Leah Williamson took matters into her own hands, gaining possession in the channel before firing a strike into the hands of Kinga Szemik. West Ham leaped up the other end on the counter attack as Martinez threatened to double the advantage before a goal-line intervention from Katie McCabe saved the Gunners.
Arsenal’s woes worsened just moments later as a well-placed corner from Asseyi allowed West Ham to score a second goal in just 11 minutes. Daphne van Domselaar’s save only went as far as Tysiak, who tapped in her second goal of the evening.
Alessia Russo was given a golden opportunity bring one back as McCabe placed a visionary ball through to central space. One too many touches rattled the Gunners striker as she fired her strike wide of the goal.
The Gunners were able to get one back in the closing minutes as Mariona Caldentey swung in a curling through ball in between the Irons defenders. Chloe Kelly’s intelligent run allowed her to send a powerful finish into the back of the net.
Arsenal may have been the stronger of the two sides as the second half commenced, but it was West Ham who took the first bite. A well-timed through ball from Verena Hanshaw located Martinez on the advance, who side-stepped Steph Catley to slot home West Ham’s third of the evening.
Just when Arsenal seemed to be down and out, the Gunners hit back. McCabe stormed the area before sending a powerful strike into the back of the net from the most impossible of angles, much to the dismay of goalkeeper Szemik who should have been at the front post.
The Gunners were able to draw themselves level just two minutes later, as Williamson headed home a flying corner from Chloe Kelly. Just when you thought they were done, Irons defender Kirsty Smith handled the ball forcing referee Adewunmi Soneye to award the Gunners a penalty. Mariona Caldentey slotted home her strike, giving Arsenal the 4-3 lead in under six minutes.
Anouk Denton shook off her markers in an attempt to salvage a point for the Irons, but a brilliant save from van Domselaar saw the strike tipped over the crossbar.
Arsenal Player Ratings
Daphne van Domselaar –
Emily Fox – 6/10 – Not her usual self. Fox turned the ball over in dangerous areas more than once. Still provided Arsenal with attacking prowess going forward.
Leah Williamson – 8/10 – A really poor first half showing was aided with an excellent second term. Williamson was everywhere in the second half, saving the Gunners in defence when the Irons streamed forward and making an impact on the scoresheet. First for accurate long balls and tackles, Williamson was massive.
Steph Catley – 5/10 – A poor showing from the Australian who has just returned from playing three back-to-back games at the SheBelieves Cup. Was easily turned by Martinez for West Ham’s third and struggled to get her positioning right across the 90 minutes.
Katie McCabe – 8/10 – One of Arsenal’s strongest performers on the evening, McCabe worked desperately to string together the defence and the attack. Would have had an early assist had Russo got the finish right. Her energy and fight provided the Gunners with the motivation to overcome the deficit.
Lia Wälti – Struggled to keep up with the pace of the game as West Ham exploited the central areas. Made some strong challenges but otherwise failed to maintain the momentum of the Irons midfield.
Kim Little – 6/10 – The same as Wälti.
Frida Maanum – 5/10 – A pretty anonymous showing from Maanum. Substituted off at half time.
Mariona Caldentey – 8/10 – Struggled to make an impact in the opening half but her ball into Chloe Kelly for Arsenal’s first goal was truly exceptional. From then on, Mariona returned to her usual self. Was able to score the winner for the Gunners from the spot.
Chloe Kelly – 9/10 – A really impressive display from the loanee. Kelly’s instinctive finish gave Arsenal hope heading into the break, and she maintained those levels for the remainder of the game. It feels as if Kelly has been at the club for much longer than a month, slotting into the starting eleven with ease. A bright spark and true energy raiser for the Gunners.
Alessia Russo – 6/10 – Struggled to get into the game in the opening half, missing a golden opportunity one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Progressed as the game went on and after she was shifted into a midfield role.
Stina Blackstenius (45′ for Maanum) – 7/10 – Blackstenius was able to open up the play for Arsenal, allowing them to play up and behind the West Ham defence. However, the Swedish striker did choke up possession and waste strong opportunities on more than one account.
Kyra Cooney-Cross (55′ for Wälti) – 8/10 – Another statement showing from the Australian midfielder, Cooney-Cross changed the game for Arsenal. The Gunners won the midfield battle the minute that she came on, allowing the side to remain structured in the central areas in order to shut out any possibility of a West Ham attack. A performance like this begs the question of whether or not Arsenal are now ready to bid farewell to the trusty midfield pairing of Little and Wälti.
Caitlin Foord (55′ for Little) – 8/10 – Provided Arsenal with a real boost of energy the minute that she came on. Gave the Gunners a direct outlet in the wide channel, threatening the West Ham defence instantly.
Amanda Ilestedt – N/A
The Halfway Line Player of the Match – Chloe Kelly
The Gunners winger was a ceiling raiser against West Ham, providing the side with extreme energy down the channel. Leah Williamson makes a case after her stellar second half showing, but the first half display was too much to discount.
